ThoseGeneva justice
He has been fighting for 26 years to save his biotope in Avusy
The authorities request the abolition of this space created without authorization not far from the Vallon de l’Aire.
Geneva, June 23, 2025. Meeting with Philippe Meeus in front of his biotope in Athenaz (Avusy).
Laurent Guiraud/Tamedia
- A resident of Avusy has defended his natural pond for the authorities for twenty-six years.
- The state requires the destruction of the biotope built without a license in 1999.
- Justice rejects the appeal despite the presence of animal species.
- The case will be brought before the Federal Court to protect the environment.
It is a greenery hole where a river sings. Not far from Vallon de l’AirePhilippe Meeus pampers the pond of his property. A biotope that gives rise to an endless showdown between this resident of Avusy and the state. For twenty-six years, this Geneva owner has been fighting to maintain the small wetland appreciated by frogs and other toads at home. For having held up to the authorities who request the abolition of this space created by him without authorization, the man has already received for 15,000 francs of fines.
Protected toads?
Last cold shower wiped by this resident of the Geneva countryside, a stop of the Administrative chamber who dismisses him and condemns him to pay 1000 francs of emolument. Justice, which does not dispute the presence of animals, believes that a report provided by the appellant “does not reveal the presence of protected species, contenting itself with formulating the hypothesis of a possible expansion of the Alyte Accountage (protected amphibian) of the site of the Racleses towards the Biotope”.
This 950 m biotope2Philippe Meeus – defended by Me Mattia Deberti – had him built on her property in 1999, supplementing him with a planting of trees.
A few days later, noting mysterious earthworks, an inspector of the Constructions Police puts his Holà. Philippe Meeus asks in the process an authorization to build for his biotope. State net refusal the following year. A decision confirmed subsequently in court.
Threatened trees and hedges
The owner begins another match with the state by building a tennis court surrounded by a beautiful hedge. Morality: the authorities order him to put his land back in his previous state.
In 2022, during an on -site visit, the Territory Department (DT) notes that the hedge and biotope still exist, despite the injunctions of the authorities. In March 2024, the State, which notes that the hedge was only cut and not deleted, persists and inflicts 5000 francs of fine concerning the biotope which is always worn as a charm …
Philippe Meeus argues while before involving this natural environment of public interest, it was necessary to request the opinion of the competent services of the State in the matter. For him, the vegetation had changed, diversified to be in an almost natural state.
The view of the biotope in the heart of this vast property.
Laurent Guiraud/Tamedia
Animal species
The trees planted in 1999 had grown and others had pushed spontaneously, he said. “The diversity of animal species and the frequency of animals could only increase the appellant too. In view of all these changes since the refusal decision of 2000, it is undeniable that there is a reason for revision. ”
In his eyes, the DT cannot therefore be content to refuse to get into matters on the building permit request “without analyzing the new elements of the case”.
But this request for reconsideration fails today before the cantonal justice. Philippe Meeus does not understand. Bounding a study that he mandated in 2023 with an engineering office, he explains that many species appreciate his biotope: the crimped triton, The necklace snakea crowd of butterflies, dragonflies and locusts: “And there are migratory birds that reproduce in my reeds, not to mention small fish.”
Me Deberti cannot be defeated: “My client decided to bring the case before The Federal Court, Because it struggles to understand how the cantonal authorities can make a rehabilitation order based on a decision rendered twenty-five years earlier without being able to re-examine it, while nature has changed the biotope over the years and new legal standards have rightly-strengthened the protection of fauna and flora in our country. “
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