Emphasising the significance of the commercial area within the centre, the authorities argue that such a conversion would compromise a substantial portion of the retail space, which is enshrined within the General Development Plan (PAG).
No official projects are currently underway for the Walferdange Shopping Centre site. Municipal authorities clarify that only a preliminary outline project has been presented to them thus far.
Following a meeting with the municipal executive board (Schäfferot), the owner of the shopping centre was informed of the board’s reluctance to allocate a significant portion of the centre’s space to residential use. The board notes that the retail space in the centre currently accounts for more than a third of the total retail space in the municipality of Walferdange.
Just two days after this meeting, the owner of the site, Bernard Elvinger, unveiled his proposal in a report aired on RTL Télé, indicating plans to convert part of the shopping centre into approximately 60 flats.
However, the municipality’s executive board firmly opposes this proposition, citing the fact that the Walferdange Shopping Centre has been under controlled management for the past five years. They reiterate the potential of the centre and stress the significance of its retail space, as outlined in the PAG.
Consequently, the board is unable to provide its approval to the owner’s project, as the conversion to flats would entail a reduction in the municipality’s overall retail space, a loss deemed detrimental to the interests of Walferdange residents and those of neighbouring Steinsel. The municipal executive board also expresses astonishment at the assertions made in the report.
From shops to homes: Walferdange shopping centre to introduce residential units
