The two rape cases in Kortrijk still resonate. On Friday morning, Vlaams Belang demonstrated in the Astrid Park. A rape happened there and the other happened in the Kabouterbos in the Scheutistenlaan in the Sionwijk. Mayor Vincent Van Quickenborne (Team Mayor) also showed his strong disapproval of the criminal acts on social media.
READ ALSO. Vlaams Belang argues against sexual violence in Kortrijk: “Where does this end?”
In the area surrounding the Kabouterbos, what happened is the number one topic of conversation. Yandro Vandemaele (25) saw the neighborhood change, not for the better. The cause is also the fact that more and more homes in his Sion district are becoming vacant. The Kortrijk housing company SW+ wants to renovate the social district.
Undisturbed romping
“I grew up here,” says Vandemaele. “Just like my friend Caste Dene. We had a nice time here, especially in the so-called Kabouterbos. We could romp and hide. I don’t know if it was always allowed, but we often had a barbecue there. We took a tire with us to the mountain, we threw wood or charcoal in it, we had a grill and put a chicken on it. We worked undisturbed all afternoon. We rarely go there now.” (read more below the photos)
These houses will soon be demolished. They need to be boarded up to keep squatters out. — © vkk
A message that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of clarity. — © VKK
The atmosphere in the Sion district, which is adjacent to the Kabouterbos, has gradually changed. Vacant homes, squatters, you name it. “We are watching it with sorrow,” says Vandemaele. “It has gotten worse, especially in recent years. Houses are empty because they need to be renovated. Squatters move in. I can only imagine what they are doing inside. I do know that the police patrol here very often, also with dogs.”
Porn House
And effectively, while we are talking to Yandro and Kaste, a police patrol passes by and the officers go into the forest to investigate. “Just last week I saw a group of young people with a girl going into the forest. I didn’t know the facts at the time. My friend Kaste calls the Gnome Forest the Porno House. Add drug use and you understand why we no longer find the atmosphere of yesteryear there. I’m moving to Marke and I’m not sad about that.”
Another, older neighbor says the same thing, but prefers to stay out of the picture. He will also move. The vacancy is indeed not doing anything good, he also knows.
READ ALSO. Girl (14) victim of gang rape by teenagers, youngest suspect was barely 11 years old
READ ALSO. 17-year-old girl raped in Astridpark in Kortrijk, three suspects arrested
The Kortrijk social housing company SW+ has great ambitions with the new Master Plan for the Sion district, which is located southeast of the Kortrijk city center. The district must be made recognizable and clearly defined. The Sion district must be better connected to the Beekstraat. There will be a green heart in the district, connecting to the greenery of the Kabouterbos. The intention is to use the greenery on the verge and possibly create a bicycle connection along it.
In concrete terms, this means, among other things, that a zone of 30 meters along the highway can no longer be built on. There will be five construction zones on which various types of homes will be built. For example, in the future there will be 122 residential units where there are currently 102. “The application is currently underway for the demolition of 58 homes and the reconstruction of 91 homes,” says SW+ chairman Veronique Decaluwé. “The residents must be able to move first before we demolish. We do everything we can to secure the homes. The local police officer passes by. The problem there is certainly not as big as before in New Kortrijk.”
Tags: Local residents longer recognize nice Sion district happy leave Kortrijk
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