But for now the reality is completely different. “In the dilapidated parts of the Abbey, various social problems come together, including homelessness and drugs,” outlines Alderman Kris Vanslambrouck (Ecolo-Groen).
“As far as I know, this does not involve major vandalism. The Abbey is also not one of the fifteen designated ‘hotspots’ in the fight against drug nuisance, including Sint Antonius.”
The municipality and the emergency services are trying to enter into dialogue with the homeless on site, he says. “We are going to talk to those people, but that is not always easy. Not everyone is waiting for support from the government or the Public Social Welfare Center.”
Time is ticking
Mayor El Hamidine, who is currently on holiday, identified the upgrading of the Abbey site as one of her most important projects in an interview two years ago.
However, after the preparatory demolition and remediation works, the actual restoration of the Abbey is still awaited. And in October there are municipal elections.
Vanslambrouck: “The restoration work will start in September and that is high time. The site has been neglected for far too long. The project has been dragging on for about twenty years. Everyone in Vorst is waiting for it.”
