Brussels Government Agreement: what does it mean for your projects?

Outlook

Merger of Perspective and Urban into "Brussels Urban Planning"

At the institutional level, the agreement provides for the reorganisation of the Brussels administrative apparatus "into four main pillars" and the creation, as of 2026, within the second pillar corresponding to the Brussels Regional Public Service (SPRB), of a new department called "Brussels Urban Planning" merging the current perspective.brussels (planning authority) and urban.brussels (permitting authority). 

This new department will eventually take over the environmental permit responsibilities currently exercised by Brussels Environment, paving the way for the long-awaited merger of building and environmental permits into a single integrated permit.

New vision for territorial development

With regard to territorial development tools, the Declaration provides for: 

• the establishment of a new "Strategic Vision 2030," aimed at better articulating "housing needs, environmental imperatives, and economic development objectives";
• the continuation of the ongoing reforms of the regional zoning plan (PRAS) and the regional planning regulation (RRU) based on a shared vision of environmental justice balancing climate concerns and affordable housing;
• the overhaul of the various urban renewal tools into two main instruments (CQD and CRU) to identify priority neighborhoods and integrate "the dimensions of security and public sanitation". Train stations will be priority areas under this new revitalization approach.

The government also confirms the adoption—announced last November by the former Secretary of State—of an interpretative circular on the October 29, 2025, ruling by the French-speaking Court of First Instance in Brussels imposing a moratorium on the urbanisation and sealing of undeveloped sites and land larger than 0.5 hectares. On this point, the Declaration already announces: 

• an extension of the deadlines for granting permits for the procedures concerned;
• the designation of the Wiels, Avijl and Donderberg sites as "green zones";
• a freeze on the development of the Josaphat, Meylemeersch, Keyenbempt, and Bois du Calevoet sites for a period of 18 months, after which these cases will be re-examined;
• a reassessment of the appropriateness of developing the land targeted by SLRB projects, with the exception of those "that are considered unavoidable and will therefore be pursued."

Finally, the government affirms its support for the construction of the new Union Saint-Gilloise stadium on the Bempt site and undertakes to reallocate the Audi site as soon as possible by creating an "iconic and sustainable economic hub that will generate quality jobs for the region." 

Streamlining and accelerating permit procedures

As regards building permits, the focus—unsurprisingly—is on streamlining and accelerating procedures. In particular, the government aims to halve permit precessing times by the end of the legislative term through a combination of immediate "operational efficiency" measures and more structural measures requiring amendments to the Regional Planning and Development Code (CoBAT) or its implementing decrees. Among other things, the following are mentioned:

• extending permit exemptions, if possible by removing the requirement for compliance with the RRU (Règlement Régional de l'Urbanisme, Regional Urban Planning Regulations);
• simplifying impact assessment mechanisms to "enhance their relevance, avoid duplication, and fully comply with the European framework";
• streamlining project meetings by limiting their number and setting shorter deadlines for convening them, and the obligation to issue minutes recording "a clear consensus" that must be respected by the authorities. A notable innovation is the introduction of a "mandatory preliminary consultation meeting" for certain projects in order to involve the public prior to the submission of applications, identify concerns at an early stage, and improve the acceptability of projects;
• simplifying the content of application files, the reinstatement of the SIAMU opinion in the application review process, and the introduction, via Brugis, of a new feature providing "complete and clear" access to all regulations applicable to a plot of land or neighborhood;
• automating the issuance of receipts via MyPermit and shortening the time required to issue acknowledgments of receipt, with a ban on qualitative assessment of applications at this stage.
• eliminating the suspension of public inquiries during school holidays, replacing the Consultation Committee with a single public inquiry for "simple" permits, and defining "substantial modifications" to avoid multiple inquiries and opinions during the procedure;
• removing the CRMS’s binding opinion.

The government also plans to temporarily introduce a "Single Planning Exemption Declaration" allowing certain infringements deemed consistent with proper land use planning to be regularized within 30 days upon payment of a lump-sum compensation fee.

Environmental priorities

The government also affirms its resolve to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the European Regulation establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality. These priority issues will involve stepping up policies on building insulation, green energy production, improving air quality and drinking water, encouraging private actors to innovate and develop technologies, and policies placing particular emphasis on biodiversity preservation. Finally, tackling aircraft noise pollution has also been made a priority.

Our team, specialising in environmental and urban planning law, is available to analyse the concrete impacts of these new measures in greater detail and to support you at every strategic and operational stage of your projects.

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Stibbe is pleased to offer you this specialised newsletter, Environment and Urban Planning, carefully prepared by our team of lawyers who are experts in these constantly evolving fields.

Every month, you will receive an in-depth analysis of the legal and regulatory developments shaping the landscape of land use planning, urban planning and the environment, covering a wide range of topics such as urban planning and land use planning, environmental permits, nature conservation, waste management, air and water quality, contaminated soil, noise pollution, as well as climate issues and the energy transition.

Each edition offers you analyses of hot topics and an explanation of legislative and regulatory developments at both European and regional level, with a particular focus on the specificities of the Brussels-Capital Region and the Walloon Region. Our goal is to keep you informed of legal changes that may affect your projects and activities, whilst providing you with the expertise you need to anticipate and adapt to new regulatory requirements.

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