Six countries urge Flanders to rethink Westhoek wind turbines
Credit: 5 February 2026 | belganewsagency.eu ~~
Six nations have asked the Flemish government to halt permits for new wind turbines in Belgium’s Westhoek region, VRT NWS writes. They warn they could damage a landscape of exceptional First World War significance.
Ambassadors from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and France signed a letter from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which manages many war cemeteries and memorials. Their intervention follows plans for large turbines near Zonnebeke and a recent permit granted for a turbine in nearby Beselare.
The CWGC says the open countryside forms an essential part of the UNESCO-recognised commemorative landscape of the Ypres Salient, and fears turbines would disrupt historic views.
Local mayor Koen Meersseman welcomed the support. Battlefield guides in the area said concern abroad was unsurprising given the continuing importance of the war to visitors from Commonwealth countries.
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
| Wind Watch relies entirely on User Contributions |
 (via Stripe) |
 (via Paypal) |
Share:
[ Short URL: https://wind-watch.org/news/?p=108756 ]
