Agreement reached on the construction of the new supermarket in the Lowick district

The city of Bocholt, NABU-Kreisverband Borken e. V. and BUND Kreisgruppe Borken have now found a joint solution regarding the construction of a planned supermarket in the Lowick district. The new building can be constructed in accordance with the previous plans, while at the same time significant ecological improvements will be made to protected landscape features.

According to the current understanding, the new EDEKA supermarket in the Lowick district is to be realised without any changes to the existing plans. The container location for recyclables, which was last discussed, also remains part of the planning. In the course of solution-oriented and constructive discussions, a joint solution was developed that represents a good compromise between ecological aspects and the realisation of the market, taking into account the current state of planning. A comprehensive package of additional compensation and enhancement measures was agreed with the NABU Borken district association and BUND. A significant ecological enhancement of the remaining orchard meadow at the market location is planned, as well as an intensive enhancement of the planned compensation area on Lowicker Straße in the immediate vicinity of the future supermarket. In addition, the newly planned compensation area at "Eisenhütte/Bromweide" will be significantly enlarged.

The costs for the acquisition of the additional compensation areas will be borne by the investor, meaning that this will not result in any financial burden for the city of Bocholt. In future, the areas will be maintained by the waste disposal and service company (ESB) of the city of Bocholt. "The planned maintenance concept goes beyond the minimum legal requirements and should lead to sustainable ecological enhancement in the long term", explains city planning officer Dave Welling.

The specific contents of the compromise are currently being further elaborated together with NABU and BUND and set out in a maintenance and measures concept. The nature conservation associations will also support the realisation of the market in the interests of a consumer-oriented supply in Lowick in line with the compromise reached.

"We are delighted that, together with NABU and BUND, we have found a viable solution that takes ecological concerns seriously and at the same time ensures local supplies for the people of Lowick", continued Welling. "An easily accessible supermarket is of great importance to the residents of the neighbourhood. The compromise that has now been agreed brings both together. Everyone involved has gained a great deal of understanding of each other's positions, interests and tasks during the process, so that these insights will certainly make a valuable contribution to other processes in the future."

The NABU Borken district organisation and BUND are also satisfied with the outcome. "The significantly expanded and intensively maintained compensation areas are an important step for environmental protection and for biodiversity in these areas", emphasises NABU district chairman Martin Frenk. "We have negotiated intensively over the past few weeks and see this solution as a viable basis for a balanced relationship between nature conservation and basic services. The partial utilisation of the orchard meadow still hurts, but weighing up all the circumstances, it is part of a solution that is now acceptable."

The city of Bocholt will provide information about the next steps and the finalisation of the agreed measures as soon as the detailed coordination has been completed.