Widdendorf II gravel pit: Residents defend themselves against mining plans!

Widdendorf II gravel pit: Residents defend themselves against mining plans!

In the municipality of Bergheim, more precisely in Ahe, there is a lot of rumblings: around 30 residents gathered today at Wiebachhof to find out about the planned Widdendorf II gravel pit. Local mayor Winfried Kösters explained to those interested that the mining of sand and gravel for the area of ​​17 football pitches is expected to begin in 2027. With a maximum depth of up to 44 meters, the pit could not only impact the landscape, but also place a significant burden on the lives of local residents.

The worries are great. Many residents fear dirt, noise and the loss of value of their properties. Mayor Volker Mießeler of Bergheim is also against the mine and makes it clear that the population has already been heavily burdened by brown coal mining. The city council has therefore decided to change the land use plan: new gravel pits are now only permitted on two reserved areas in the city area, and not at Wiebachhof.

Concerns and Approvals

Nevertheless, the Rhein-Erft district has initially granted approval (preliminary decision) to the planned gravel pit - despite the changes in the land use plan. This decision is based on the current legal situation in the Cologne administrative region, whereby all requirements to protect the environment and residents must be met. The application for gravel removal has been pending for some time. The responsible approval authority, the Rhein-Erft district, must process this properly in accordance with the legal requirements. The Rhein-Erft-Kreis plans to display the documents for inspection and to inform the public about the project.

Publication in the official gazette of the Rhein-Erft district is scheduled for April 8, 2025. This is intended to give affected citizens the opportunity to express their opinions and raise objections. Once participation has been completed, all statements will be evaluated again before a final decision is made on the application.

The resistance is forming

The planned gravel pit has already sparked resistance among the population and the city of Bergheim. Residents and environmentalists are concerned about the consequences such mining could have on the region. A subsidiary of RWE is also planning to expand an existing gravel pit in Kerpen, and a corresponding application has also been submitted here. However, the Kerpen Committee for Structural Change refused to approve the expansion.

The general manager of the VERO association emphasizes the importance of gravel and sand deposits for housing construction, infrastructure and job creation. The construction and raw materials industry is warning of supply bottlenecks, as the Rhein-Erft district is anything but poor in raw materials. The Cologne Regional Council is planning to revise the conditions for the extraction of non-energy raw materials in order to ensure security of supply in the long term.

Residents must now monitor developments closely. A good hand will be required so that their concerns are heard and the wishes of the population can be incorporated into the decision-making process.