Municipal council to vote on Vaîtes project

The municipal council of Besançon will vote on two resolutions this Thursday evening regarding the Vaîtes eco-quarter and the new Tristan-Bernard school group. Resolution number 10 covers the annual report and financial balance sheet of the eco-quarter as of December 31, 2025, while resolution number 16 deals with the financing plan and subsidy requests for the new school.

Criticism of the mayor's decisions

The Jardins des Vaîtes association is criticizing Ludovic Fagaut's municipal administration for allegedly abandoning commitments made during the electoral campaign. They accuse him of quickly changing course on the Vaîtes project, including the number of housing units and the school plan, which they say contradicts his earlier promises.

Focus on the development project's continuity

The two resolutions being voted on this Thursday aim to allow the municipal council to express its opinion on the financial and operational aspects of the Vaîtes neighborhood's transformation. The association is particularly concerned about the continuity of the development project and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

Controversy over the new school

The reconstruction of the Tristan-Bernard school has become a major point of contention. Ludovic Fagaut claims that technical studies show building a new school is more viable than renovating the existing one, which would cost 12 million euros. However, opponents argue that the administration has not provided the requested documents to support this claim.

Discrepancy in document availability

Opponents point out that Ludovic Fagaut previously requested objective elements to assess the condition of the school building when he was in opposition. They now claim that the administration is not providing the requested documents, creating a contradiction between the mayor's public statements and the lack of technical evidence.

Contradictions in the mayor's position

Ludovic Fagaut had previously voted against the new Vaîtes project when he was in opposition but later rejected an appeal against the modified ZAC after becoming mayor. Opponents argue that this shows inconsistency in his stance on the development project and question the extent to which the municipality can modify the ZAC without violating regulatory frameworks.

Next steps for the Vaîtes project

The municipal council's vote on October 15 will mark a new stage in the Vaîtes project. The association believes these votes continue the development choices of the previous administration, despite Ludovic Fagaut's stated intention to revise the project. Key questions remain: what technical evidence supports the new school plan, and how much flexibility does the municipality have in modifying the Vaîtes project?