A large-scale operation to clear around thirty hectares of land in Le Beausset is worrying some local residents.

What's currently happening along the Chemin de Font-Vive, in Beausset-Vieux? Up there, residents have been witnessing a major land clearing operation for several weeks. Around eight hectares have already been "cleared" of vegetation by their owners.

Faced with the uproar caused, the subject was raised at the last municipal council meeting, supported by part of the opposition (L'Elan beaussetan and Le Beausset en marche) and, exceptionally, also by local residents present at the meeting, to whom the mayor even gave the floor.

Immediate consequence of the new PLU

We have now learned the reason for this clearing operation: in the newly revised Local Urban Planning Plan (PLU), this area has been changed from "natural" to "agricultural". The land is therefore "simply" being prepared for future cultivation.

However, questions remained unanswered, suggesting that perhaps not everything is so straightforward. "Has the classification of part of this area within the Sainte-Baume Regional Natural Park (PNR)" been taken into account , in particular "because it is home to protected animal and plant species" , which is moreover "in the middle of their breeding season" ? It was further specified that "no authorization for clearing is displayed on the site, even though this area is subject to prior authorization, in accordance with the DDTM map (1) annexed to the PLU, the PNR regulations and the Forestry Code" ...

The ^6th deputy mayor, Bruno Vadon (delegate for agriculture, among others), recalled in the preamble that these changes are "the translation of the political will to support and develop agriculture in the commune" . And that "during the public inquiry on the revision of the PLU, there was no comment from the PNR and the DDTM" concerning this change of zoning, "nor any contribution (from residents) on this subject" .

The prefecture should have given the green light

The elected official assured that "the plots affected by the recent clearing are not subject to classification or protective measures." And that "the rocky part at the edge of the Abus bar, which is home to endemic heritage species, is not affected" by the ongoing work.

On the other hand, regarding the requirement for authorization for clearing, Mr. Vadon, after confirming that it is "essential in this sector" , stipulated that "it is a competence of the DDTM (and therefore of the prefecture) and not of the services of the municipality" , the effectiveness of which was questioned during these exchanges... "The municipality must however be informed, since the petitioners must display these authorizations on the ground" . However, "it turns out that the prior requests were not made, which may give rise to sanctions from the DDTM." The deputy also wanted to "greet and thank the local residents, concerned about the preservation of the landscape, biodiversity and compliance with regulations, who reacted and alerted" . The city has since also alerted the DDTM of the situation.

What about biodiversity?

Without questioning the principle of agricultural reconquest, a very involved resident of the Chemin de Font-Vive was particularly concerned about "biodiversity preservation considerations" , even going so far as to state that trees had been cut down in a place where it was not authorized...

It remains to be hoped that, despite the lack of verification, the felling already carried out has been carried out in compliance with the rules, as well as with respect for the flora and fauna. And, above all, that the authorities, now informed, will ensure that the work continues smoothly, as around twenty hectares are still affected.

1. Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea.