The Flemish government
has provisionally
approved the extension
of the territory of the
Zwin nature reserve
on the Flemish/Dutch
border between Knokke
and Zeeland. The plan
involves returning
the Willem-Leopold
polder to the water
and increasing the
surface of the Zwin by
120 hectares.
The plan
will also involve a new
visitors’ centre. The
proposals will now be
the subject of a public
inquiry running until 29 October, after
which a final decision will be taken. The
local authority in Knokke has expressed
concern at the loss of farmland but will
not lodge a formal objection.
(August 1, 2012)