France: New Setback for Supporters of EuropaCity Project Near Paris

According to a recent decision of the administrative court of Cergy-Pontoise, the submitted PLU (= le plan local d’urbanisme) or land development plan, which includes, among other things, the creation of the multi-billion EuropaCity mega leisure complex to be located northeast of Paris has now been declared ineffective. Specifically, the ruling announced yesterday concerns a decision adopted in 2017 by the municipality of Gonesse (Val d’Oise department) for the urban development of 248 hectares of land – 80 hectares of which are intended for the creation of the leisure complex featuring retail, leisure, residential and business districts (see EAP 2/2018).

After the competent court had already annulled the prefectural decision of the department to create a development zone (ZAC = zone d’activité) in the so-called “Triangle de Gonesse” area about a year ago (cp. EAP news f. 7 March 2018), the prospects for the project are now far from good. Interestingly, opponents of the 2017 decision include several environmental associations and SCI Aéroville, a real estate company that already operates a large shopping centre near the airport.

With the annulation of the land development plan, the area is now again exclusively designated for agricultural use. According to French media reports, the municipality of Gonesse has already announced to file an appeal against the decision of the court. (eap)