User:Flat Out/Draft Uplace Controversy

The Uplace Planning Controversy relates to a planned shopping mall near Vilvoorde, Belgium, just above Brussels' orbital road.

In May 2012 Flemish minister Joke Schauvliege gave a building permit, so the building could start almost immediately. Environmental campaigners and entrepreneurs (most important Unizo) went to the Belgian Council of State as a reaction. In December 2012 the Council of State overruled the Flemish government and rejected the plan's building permit. Uplace was a project mainly supported by the CD&V and N-VA, and less supported by the sp-a. The sp-a said in May 2012 Ingrid Lieten said that it was 'incomprehensible' that Schauvliege gave the building permit. The sp-a was 'content' that the Council of State rejected that permit. The N-VA and CD&V want to give Uplace another try, but, as a reaction, the sp-a threatened behind the scenes to leave the coalition. As a result, the N-VA CD&V revised their opinions. Uplace will very likely not be built anymore.

The Uplace Mall
It has 190,000 m2 of space for shops, restaurants, a cinema, a bowling hall, a theme park and 91 meter tall skyscraper with office buildings. Projected costs are around € 600 million and it will provide 3,100 jobs for the region. Uplace is part of a Flemish project to build three malls around Brussels: Neo, Just under the sky (JUST) and Uplace.