Council of State suspends allocation of beach bar concessions in Knokke-Heist, chaos seems complete

The Council of State has suspended the awarding of beach concessions in Knokke-Heist, affecting four operators who contested the process. This decision renders the concessions temporarily invalid, adding to the ongoing chaos surrounding the beach bars. The council criticized the municipality for not adequately assessing the feasibility of the high concession fees and for failing to ensure compliance with urban planning regulations. Additionally, concerns were raised about the lengthy concession periods of up to 18 years without sufficient justification. Only the beach bars in Heist remain secure in their positions, while those in Knokke and Duinbergen face uncertainty.