Banyuls-sur-Mer: Residents were invited to express their opinions on the impressive heritage site project
The public investigation into the magnificent heritage site project Banyuls-sur-Mer began on November 13, 2023 at the city hall. It continues until December 1st. This includes defining the municipal heritage protection perimeter and the accompanying town planning rules.
The municipality has been working on the Great Heritage Site (SPR) project for three years. Objective: To protect the architectural, historical, artistic and landscape heritage of the municipality, within a perimeter that has not yet been defined and in accordance with regulations that have not yet been adopted. The public inquiry aims specifically to allow residents to express their opinions and submit their suggestions on these two points.
“Three or four years ago, we were selected to be part of one of the two Grand Occitanie sites in the department: “Collioure and Côte Vermeille”, which also includes Port-Vendres, explains the city’s mayor, Jean-Michel Soulet. To confirm this designation, each of the municipalities concerned must establish an SPR. It is important that we are recognized as the great site for Occitanie. Beyond this, the region will implement tourism promotion. This will also pave the way for new subsidies.
Perimeter and rules must be defined
What exactly is SPR intended to protect? On this point, the advisor is inexhaustible. “There are the outdoor viewing frames, but also the old fishermen’s houses with their limestone facades and brightly colored tiles and shutters. On the waterfront, we also have palaces, including two villas designed by the Danish architect Dorph Petersen,” He explains among other things.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does suggest the broad outlines of the scope. “Basically, the SPR will take care of the heart of the city, Puig del Mas street and the waterfront, Jean-Michel Soulé sums it up. But the idea is to rely on the public investigation to determine the final perimeter.”
Once this perimeter is defined, the design office commissioned by the municipality will prepare a draft bylaw applicable within it, which the municipal council can then modify before ratifying it..
Preserving heritage means protecting the value of the property
“During the survey, residents can also make suggestions regarding this regulation, The mayor encourages. This could indicate, for example, the need to maintain wooden blinds, or even prohibit air conditioning on the facade…”
On the perimeter of the SPR, all planning permissions will be subject to the opinion of the building engineer in France. “But in the end, this will not change much for the residents. We already have a whole set of secret sites. We should not see the intervention of the building engineer in France as an obstacle, but as a support for action.” in the right direction”estimated Jean-Michel Soulet, according to whom “Preserving heritage also means protecting residents’ property value.”
If all goes as planned, the Banyoles Heritage Site could be operational within a year or two.
