Request for the decommissioning of the La Rochelle nautical plateau
A procedure has been launched by several owners of plots of land on the La Rochelle nautical plateau to obtain the downgrading of the zone in order to open it up to housing and public services. The latter are concerned about a decrease in the value of their land, as the presence of nearby housing limits the industrial possibilities. After a refusal by the mayor of La Rochelle in 2014 and after being dismissed by the administrative court of Poitiers in April 2017, four plaintiffs went to the administrative court of appeal in Bordeaux. While the conclusions of the government commissioner at the October 11, 2018 hearing seemed to defend the nautical use, the court is expected to render its judgment in November.
A harmful situation for a growing nautical activity
The risk of downgrading may rightly worry some of the nautical industry, while the activity in the area is important. Neel Trimarans has recently invested and to extend its buildings there. Martin Lepoutre, head of the Nautical Cluster of New Aquitaine, regrets the approach of these owners and recalls the difficulty of cohabiting industry and housing. "We will do everything to ensure that the nautical plateau remains nautical. Let's imagine that we say yes to the declassification, the cohabitation between nautical companies that necessarily make dust and dwellings will necessarily be difficult. We have to know what we want to do with La Rochelle: a city of residence for people with high purchasing power or if we want to keep an economic life. We have a great infrastructure with the launching cart and the trawler basin, it is obvious that we need nautical companies around. I understand that some people are interested in selling their land at a higher price, but we mustn't forget that they were sold at very interesting prices in order to develop the nautical industry. Then it will be up to the courts to decide."
Local tensions
The situation is causing tension in La Rochelle. The neutrality of the mayor of La Rochelle, Jean-François Fountaine, founder of the catamaran manufacturer Fountaine-Pajot, whose many boats pass through the nautical platform, is being questioned. His aggressive reaction in front of the cameras of France 3 testifies to the explosiveness of the situation. Relations between operating companies and vessel owners can be difficult. Contacted by BoatIndustry, Philippe Joneau, manager of Naval Force 3, says "The Naval Force 3 shipyard and its employees are not in solidarity with the landowners' approach."
The decision of the Bordeaux court is therefore eagerly awaited in the port of La Rochelle.
