Union Saint-Gilloise has long struggled with the limitations of its current stadium, which is why the club is increasingly pointing to a new venue. The vision of a new stadium could open the door to further development, but it is also fuelling urban and environmental disputes.

What kind of stadium does Union Saint-Gilloise want?

Union Saint-Gilloise plans to build its new stadium on the site of the existing Bempt sports complex, owned by the municipality of Forest. From the outset, the location has been controversial, as it is widely regarded as a valuable green area with environmental significance. Despite this, the club continues to present Stade Bempt as the most functional option, pointing to transport links and urban development potential.

Union’s current home, the Stade Joseph Marien, is a listed historic venue with limited capacity and no room for expansion. This lack of suitable infrastructure prevents the club from hosting European matches at home. A new 16,000-seat stadium is intended to address that issue and provide the foundation for the club’s long-term sporting and financial growth.

The Forest project places strong emphasis on limiting car traffic. Plans include the use of nearby park-and-ride facilities, encouraging supporters to rely on public transport, and the creation of around 2,000 bicycle parking spaces. Even so, residents of neighbouring districts fear congestion and traffic problems on matchdays.

© KSS Group |The location of the future stadium has long been controversial because it is perceived as a valuable green area of ​​natural significance.

Administrative hurdles and protests surrounding the project

A key development came when the Brussels-Capital Region’s Environment Board rejected appeals filed by environmental organisations. This decision grants Union Saint-Gilloise the right to remove 237 trees within the future construction area. While deemed lawful, the approval comes with strict environmental conditions. Tree felling will be permitted only during narrowly defined periods to avoid disrupting nesting and migration seasons. In addition, the club must plant 239 new trees of various species, create habitats for bats, and limit stadium lighting after 11 p.m., directing light exclusively towards the ground.

Despite this administrative green light, groups such as We Are Nature Brussels and Inter-Environnement Bruxelles are not backing down. They argue that the proposed environmental compensation is insufficient, as newly planted trees cannot replace decades-old growth. Environmental activists have announced further legal challenges, including an appeal to the Council of State, which could significantly delay the project.

At this stage, Union Saint-Gilloise still lacks both urban planning permission and final environmental approval. Both procedures are ongoing, with officials pointing to formal deficiencies in the submitted documentation. Each subsequent permit may be contested, leaving the project timeline uncertain.

© KSS Group | The club is planning to build a plot of land in the Bempt area, in the southern part of the Forest commune. The site is approximately 2.5 km south of the former Stade Joseph Marien.