The BUND intends to impede the establishment of the Gauselmann casino in Siegburg.
Despite the Siegburg city council green-lighting the casino plans of the Gauselmann Group on December 11, 2023, environmental advocates continue to raise concerns against the new casino establishment's construction. Now, the Bundesverband für Umwelt- und Naturschutz (BUND) intends to take legal action against the project.
The Higher Regional Court of Münster Weighs In
The BUND has taken the matter to the Higher Regional Court of Münster, as reported in the Cologne Gazette.
The case isn't focused on the Gauselmann Group but against the broader plan to construct a commercial area by draining part of the Sieg floodplain.
BUND asserts that this project faces criticism for environmental reasons and is also unlawful, thus leading to its decision to file a lawsuit:
The plan, according to BUND North Rhine-Westphalia, is unlawful... It conflicts with flood protection and fails to comply with the FFH area protection, leading to further drying out of the Sieg aue. – BUND North Rhine-Westphalia, source: Cologne Gazette
However, the city of Siegburg and the Cologne regional government maintain that filling the floodplain with gravel is an eco-friendly and justifiable alternative.
A Twist in the Tale Like Bad Neuenahr?
Before the city council vote, which endorsed the floodplain transformation and the sale to the Gauselmann Group, BUND activists had already protested.
The BUND protesters highlighted that the 2021 Ahr flood had underscored the importance of preserving floodplains. At that time, for instance, the Casino Bad Neuenahr was damaged and had to relocate two years later.
So, we'll need to keep an eye out for any developments in court, as to whether the Gauselmann Group's casino construction project could ultimately face a halt.
The ongoing legal battle against the casino and commercial area construction in Siegburg, initiated by the BUND, has gained widespread attention in the news.
As stated in the latest news articles, the BUND's case against the project in the Higher Regional Court of Münster revolves around concerns over the project's environmental impact and its potential violation of flood protection and FFH area protection regulations.
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