Frank De Block-Burij (hygicell)

73, Male

Drongen+De Pinte

Belgium

Profile Information:

How did you find us?

aquaponics group

Are you an aquaponic gardener already?

yes

If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)

7 x 24 m greenhouse, alas neglected

How old is your system?

1 - 2 yrs

What type of fish do you grow with? (select all that apply)

Other

How big is your fish tank?

4 x 1000 l + 1 x 300 l

Please tell us something else about yourself.

After four years of study (nickname hygicell) and a small experiment I have made up a business plan, found a bank to finance me, designed a greenhouse that I wanted to build in De Pinte, where our family owned a farm with, adjacent to it, a 7 ha lake on which waterski was performed.
Beatiful surroundings, and excellent location for a commercial setup.
Family problems (inheritance fight lasted 7 years) forced me to erect it, smaller, in Drongen instead.
See pictures on my website http://www.aquaponics.eu
Last year I finally bought the farm and wanted to immediately start a new project.
Then started an unexpected fight with the municipalities: in their deployment plan stood that they wanted to prohibit waterski (my basis income), wanted me to tear down the clubhouse, and planned to ban greenhouses.
With all the money invested in the farm I had to concentrate fully on trying to avoid this disaster. I had to neglect the first greenhouse.
I studied for days, weeks, months all the fine print and the laws, drew up argumentations , contacted high schools, universities, sports federations, politicians, experts, lawyers... , I had to completely rethink and redesign my greenhouse to make it acceptable.
I seeked support everywhere I could and found it . I gathered over 160 protests.
I lost some battles, but continued fighting and won the final war.
Februari 1st the township publicised new texts, that allow continuation of waterski, the clubhouse can stay where it is, and the greenhouse ban is lifted.
But now I'm left without money. It will take me months again to get a building permit, chances are that I will lose this season too.
But I will not give up.
The forced rethinking of my greenhouse and the experience with the first one has allowed me to reach a better design: it will be as good as passive.
I will post the drawings.

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