Hotel construction in Rodange: Minister responds to parliamentary enquiry on environmental risks

Luxembourg's Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, has given an official response to a parliamentary enquiry by MP Marc Goergen regarding the possible construction of a hotel and wellness centre on plot number 1376/6428 in Rodange. The site is located in the zone de bâtiments et d'équipements publics (BEP) and borders a Natura 2000 conservation area, which automatically makes the project subject to potential environmental controls.

According to the current legislation, the final decision on the need for an environmental impact assessment (Évaluation des incidences sur l'environnement) can only be made once a specific project is available. That is, if the project meets the criteria specified in the law of 15 May 2018, its implementation will only be possible with a positive result of the environmental impact assessment.

The Ministry does not currently have any details about the project itself. Without a plan, it is impossible to accurately assess whether and to what extent an environmental impact statement will be required.

According to the Minister's position, documents on the basis of which administrative decisions are made can in principle be requested. Thus, if the project is launched, information about it and its environmental aspects should be available to the public upon request.

As this is a construction next to the Natura 2000 zone - a network of areas protected at EU level because of their importance for biodiversity - any intervention in the landscape requires careful assessment. This also explains the concerns of citizens and parliamentarians about the potential negative impact on the environment.

Thus, further developments around this project will depend on the transparency of information provided by the proponents and the level of environmental standards it will have to meet.