Brussels, 16 August 2025 – After months of legal uncertainty, De Werkvennootschap and the environmental organisation Dryade have brought an end to legal proceedings concerning the planned redevelopment of the northern section of the Brussels Ring Road. The decision follows an agreement between Dryade and De Werkvennootschap on how to address nitrogen emissions in the project.
In the agreement, De Werkvennootschap undertakes to include specific measures in the redevelopment of the Ring Road to protect the nitrogen-sensitive forests around the capital. Specifically, when applying for environmental permits, use will be made of the critical deposition values (KDWs) as set out in the advice of the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) dated 29 August 2024. These values determine the threshold above which there is a risk that nitrogen will become harmful to vulnerable nature areas.
In addition, mitigation measures are being further refined, including the introduction of speed limits near nitrogen-sensitive nature areas. This commitment also forms part of one of the project’s broader objectives, namely the restoration and strengthening of the green-blue ecological network around the Ring.
The agreement aligns with a breakthrough in another file. Following a ruling by the Council of State regarding the “GRUP Nelissen Brickworks,” the Flemish Government adjusted its critical deposition values.
Following the ruling of the Council of State regarding the GRUP “Nelissen Brickworks” and the update of the KDW’s by the Flemish government, confidence arose that future permit applications – including those for the redesign of the Ring around Brussels – would contain a correct nitrogen impact assessment. Within that context, the agreement between De Werkvennootschap and Dryade was further developed.
“This agreement proves that we can make progress even in complex environmental issues through constructive dialogue. As soon as the Flemish government applies a correct framework for granting permits, nature conservation and large infrastructure projects turn out to be compatible.”, states Dries Verhaeghe, director of Dryade.