A large-scale project has been launched in Champhol (Eure-et-Loir) with the aim of putting the earth back at the centre.
Sixty-three hectares is the total area that the new site of the eco-district of La Chênaie will make, as part of the extension of the town.
Located on the former B122 Chartres-Champhol military base, the project has been placed by the city of Champhol under the responsibility of SAEDEL, the development and equipment company of the Eure-et-Loir department.
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On this former wasteland abandoned since 1997, 800 housing units will be built during the six phases on the northern part.
The future Concerted Development Zone (Zac) will accommodate around 2,000 additional inhabitants.
The population will then increase from 3,700 to over 5,000 by 2036.
The view of the sanctuary of Chartres Cathedral
The mayor, Étienne Rouault, is delighted.
With currently 12% social housing, his municipality is lagging behind.
“Three hundred social housing units will be built.
We are going to catch up and reach 20%”, explains the man who was skeptical at the very beginning of this project.
“I had the impression that it had been done by a Parisian communication agency.
I started from afar…” For this long-term project, 25 million euros have been invested.
“Thirty hectares will remain natural areas,” proudly points out Nicolas Moreau, General Manager of SAEDEL.
They have been sanctified because they are located in the cones of view of Chartres Cathedral.
We must restore the land to its true value and, for us professionals, go back to basics.
This is why an urban farm will be part of the decor.
And it was two young 28-year-old market gardeners from Chartres, Maxence Silly and Tony Thieulin, who won the call for projects, out of a dozen applicants.
“They didn't retain anything from what we offered, apart from doing organic market gardening.
But it gave credibility to their project.
Their philosophy is interesting, the way they want to cultivate the land, their sensitivity to the environment and the living area that surrounds them.
They won this call for projects hands down, ”recounts the city councilor.
Market gardeners will cultivate fifty varieties for the benefit of residents
And on the nearly two hectares made available to them for their market gardening activity, work is already well advanced.
“The pyrotechnic depollution is complete, we are setting up the infrastructures and we are finalizing the cultural planning.
The seeds have already been ordered and the greenhouses will soon be delivered.
The two young professionals will plant the first seeds next spring, at the end of February, beginning of March, using the Canadian Fortier method, which does not require plowing.
“Our hectare of cultivation represents approximately 180 to 200 permanent beds 75 cm wide and 30 m long.
» Red fruits should also grow like raspberries and strawberries.
Investment cost for this urban farm: approximately 200,000 euros.
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"It's a great opportunity for us because we're going to make market gardening our full-time activity", specify the two winners, who still don't really realize the good news.
In total, around fifty varieties of seasonal vegetables will grow and will benefit future residents of the short circuit in particular: tomatoes, lettuces, onions, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, peppers.
"It's easier to accept two hectares of organic farming at the end of your garden than a wind turbine", notes Éric Gérard, the president of SAEDEL.
The future construction of a school and the opening of its ten classrooms to accommodate everyone are good omens for Tony, who projects himself with Maxence: "Climate and environmental issues require answers in the present and in the future. and that means raising awareness among new generations.
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