Keystone-SDA
The Federal Court rejects the appeal of Swiss Heritage and several individuals against the “Burquenet Sud” neighborhood plan in Lutry (VD). Opponents invoked oversizing of the building area, non-compliance with anti-noise measures and environmental protection.
(Keystone-ATS) The neighborhood plan submitted to the canton in 2015 provides for the assignment of the sector in the “locality center”. Buildings of five to six levels, in semi-contractual order, must be built, which will require demolishing existing buildings and shooting down trees.
Swiss heritage and its Vaudoise section as well as individuals opposed the neighborhood plan. However, a referendum against the municipality’s approval decision was rejected in popular vote in November 2021.
Old classification
In a judgment published on Monday, the Federal Court dismisses Swiss Heritage and the other appellants. Noting that the area concerned is not a new building zone, since it was classified as such since the late 1980s, the judges consider that it is right that the values of noise emissions have not been reviewed.
Regarding grievances of an environmental nature, the 1st Court of Public Law notes that the sector is included in a “territory of higher biological interest”. However, the La Lutrive river, which constitutes the organic corridor, is separated from the Southern Burquenet zone by a cantonal road.
In addition, trees and hedges must be planted to replace the slaughter. The impact of the urbanization project must therefore be considered weak. (judgment 1C_440/2023 of May 27, 2025)
