Extension of the Belle Roche quarry approved in Sprimont

The Walloon Government has definitively adopted, by ministerial decree of June 23, 2026, the revision of the Huy-Waremme sector plan (sheet 49/2) aimed at establishing an extraction dependency zone, two extraction zones, and the associated compensations at the locality known as “Belle Roche”, within the territory of the municipality of Sprimont. The decree, referenced C-2026/006308, was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on August 28, 2026 (p. 47083 and 47119), accompanied by its environmental statement.

The decision follows a request submitted on August 10, 2015, by S.A. “Belle Roche Sablar”, a subsidiary of the Colas Belgium group, to allow for the continuation and development of existing extraction activities. The file was updated on November 26, 2018, due to the entry into force of the Territorial Development Code (CoDT).

A long and contested procedure

The draft plan, adopted on March 31, 2020, was subject to a public inquiry from May 26 to July 9, 2025, in the municipalities of Sprimont and Comblain-au-Pont. The consultation sparked numerous reactions:

202 letters or emails of complaint received in Sprimont, including a petition with 48 signatures;
71 letters or emails in Comblain-au-Pont, including a petition with 49 signatures;
a conditionally favorable opinion from the municipal council of Sprimont (August 21, 2025);
an unfavorable opinion from the municipal college of Comblain-au-Pont, issued after the close of the inquiry.

The “Spatial Planning” and “Environment” departments issued favorable opinions on October 10 and 15, 2025. The final adoption decree presents no modifications compared to the draft finalized on March 20, 2025.

Responses to environmental complaints

Complainants notably denounced the downgrading of a part of the Natura 2000 BE33017 “Lower Amblève Valley” site and the destruction of habitats sheltering protected species such as the peregrine falcon and the Eurasian eagle-owl. The environmental impact report concludes that the revision involves no downgrading of the Natura 2000 site and, on the contrary, strengthens its protection, as the areas concerned are reallocated as zones not intended for urbanization.

Regarding fears of expropriation, the decree recalls that the revision of the sector plan is a planning act which does not, in itself, entail any infringement of real rights. The Belle Roche cave, classified as an archaeological site by ministerial decree of August 26, 2022, is listed as a green space zone, guaranteeing the preservation of public access to the site.

An economic and local supply issue

The quarry currently produces approximately 290,000 tonnes of materials per year, nearly 29% of which are destined for the Colas Belgium group. The extension of the extraction pit, covering approximately 12.78 ha, will make it possible to produce:

375,000 tonnes of aggregates per year, at the limit authorized by the permits;
15,000 tonnes of ornamental rocks (small granite or “blue stone”) per year, in partnership with S.A. “Pierre Bleue de Wallonie”;
representing a total annual production of approximately 390,000 tonnes.

The activity currently generates 10 direct jobs and between 34 and 51 indirect jobs (full-time equivalents), a figure that would increase to 12 direct jobs. Tax revenues, approximately 558,000 euros per year, could reach 681,000 euros. The revision would allow operations to continue for an additional forty years, while maintaining the local supply of construction materials.

Scope of the decision

By ensuring the long-term operation of the Belle Roche quarry, the Walloon Region strengthens a local aggregate and ornamental stone industry, while reinforcing the protection of the classified site and the Natura 2000 perimeter. The extraction dependency zone is subject to an additional requirement (*S.68) aimed at preserving the site’s rail service, a sustainable mobility issue for the residents of Sprimont and Comblain-au-Pont.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette of August 28, 2026, ministerial decree of June 23, 2026, reference C-2026/006308, p. 47083 and 47119.