Belgium: The municipal council of Evergem has advised planning authorities to reject Cemminerals’ application to expand it Ghent grinding plant to 1.6Mt/yr in production capacity. The Het Nieuwsblad newspaper has reported that the expansion will entail the construction of a new grinding unit and six storage silos. Cemminerals currently holds a licence to produce 700,000t/yr at the site.
Councillor Josse Verdegem said that 400 residents signed a petition against the planned expansion of the Ghent grinding plant. He said that dust from the plant ‘regularly’ covered solar panels, cars and garden furniture. Residents have also complained about its noise and vibrations.