2023-04-16 21:04:21
A few days before their scheduled meeting with the prefect this Thursday, opponents of the massive construction of housing in Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry have once again made their voices heard. One hundred and fifty inhabitants of the city and the surrounding area demonstrated in the city center, like a year ago, to demand “the return to reason”.
The project to build 805 housing units around the 26 Couleurs site, along the Seine, bristles with several associations grouped together in the Pouce CO2 collective. “We agree to this rehabilitation, but we oppose the creation of a new city”, insist the protesters who are proud to have collected 3,400 signatures in a few weeks in this city of 15,000 inhabitants.
On the industrial wasteland of the Isidore Leroy wallpaper factory closed in 1982 and the Henkel detergent factory closed in 2003, a set of 805 housing units (including 25% social housing), businesses, a school and a media library are planned. . In 2021, the project received 3.5 million euros from the State as part of the Recovery Plan via the Wasteland Fund, as well as 700,000 euros from the region. Four promoters are in the running but everything is at a standstill for the moment. Even if the local urban plan is being modified to make the area around Les 26 Couleurs constructible.
Traffic problems, risk of flooding…
Opponents point to the risk of traffic congestion, while the bridge facing the site is already saturated during rush hour. The area is also in a flood-prone sector, as proved by the 2016 flood. “The flood risk prevention plan (PPRI) dates from 2013. With climate change, extreme phenomena are increasing. The occurrences have changed since the historic flood of 1910…”, emphasizes Patrick, involved in the association for the defense of the environment of Moulignon Auxonnettes and Jonville (Ademaj 77310).
Gabriel insists on the importance of putting back earth and trees between the dwellings: “We propose a Japanese garden, and they three trees here and there. They say that concrete is out of the question”.
“The town hall does not want to listen to us, regrets Cindy. We want less housing, a doctor’s office, wooden buildings that can be adapted according to needs. And above all a district built around its history, the wallpaper”.
Ademaj ensures that the new director of Leroy, now based in Bordeaux (Gironde), contacted and seduced by their project, would come in the spring to organize an event with players in this sector. “He could perhaps resume activity in the distant future,” hopes Cindy.
“Their project is not based on any financial element. They have no concrete leads, tackles Mayor Séverine Felix-Boron (SE). But I always agreed to receive them. “Since Thursday, the town hall has announced that it has reduced the number of housing units that will be built by 200. “When I arrived in 2020, the previous mayor (Editor’s note: Jérôme Guyard, LR) had just signed an agreement for 805 homes and wanted 700 more, recalls Séverine Felix-Boron. I am running after subsidies to make this project possible despite everything with less housing. »
The demonstrators fear a “beautiful announcement effect”, before their march in town and then their appointment with the prefect. “All these real estate subjects bring with them political, economic and financial aspects. It’s very difficult to change things, analyzes Patrick. But little by little, with diplomacy, we will convince. »
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