Asse Still

Discover the neighbourhood

From a neglected site to a clean and safe place

For many years, the site of the former Stillemans factory was left vacant and heavily paved. Today, the site presents a very different picture:

All former buildings have been fully demolished
The contaminated soil has been thoroughly remediated
Pollution, waste and unauthorised use have been addressed

In this way, Matexi is gradually returning the site to the neighbourhood. In close collaboration with OVAM and specialised contractors, the site has been cleaned up and made safe for future residents.

Sustainability from the very start

Still is intended to become a place where it is already pleasant to live today, and even better tomorrow. That is why Matexi is aiming to develop the neighbourhood as a reference project in terms of sustainability. Among other things, we are exploring:

how the neighbourhood can be heated using renewable energy
how rainwater can be reused
how nature can be strengthened around and between the buildings
and how the area can be designed in a healthy and climate-resilient way

Calm and people-focused accessibility

Good accessibility does not have to mean increased traffic or congestion. Together with mobility experts from Mint, we are exploring a smart and balanced layout for the site.

Key principles include:

Priority for pedestrians and cyclists
Reduced car traffic within the neighbourhood
A strong connection to the railway station, just 300 metres away

In this way, the neighbourhood remains calm and liveable — both for residents and for the surrounding area.

Latest updates

23/10/2025 Update following a recent planning decision

Recently, the Raad for Permit Disputes (Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen) declared the residential zoning of the site inapplicable. As a result, the redevelopment of the site cannot currently proceed and the legal basis for a residential project is temporarily suspended. We regret this decision, as we strongly believe in the potential of this location.

In the period prior to this decision, significant investments had already been made in the preparation of the site. These included addressing issues related to squatting, remediating the soil, demolishing obsolete buildings, and ensuring a safer and more orderly environment. These efforts cannot currently be carried forward.

Matexi has lodged an appeal against the decision. Such procedures take time, which means that at this stage we are unable to provide a revised timeline. As soon as more clarity becomes available, we will keep you informed via this page.

31/01/2025 Permit procedure ongoing

The subdivision application (verkavelingsaanvraag) was approved by the municipality of Asse on 17 July 2023. This decision was later appealed to the provincial executive of Flemish Brabant, which ultimately issued a positive ruling on 4 July 2024. However, this ruling was again contested, and the case is currently under review by the Council for Permit Disputes (Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen).

This step marks an important turning point in the process. We are currently awaiting the outcome of the ongoing appeal procedure before starting the development of the new residential neighbourhood, including the installation of infrastructure and the launch of the sales process.

01/07/2024 Remediation completed

The soil remediation on the site was successfully completed in January 2024 — a key milestone that makes the land ready for construction and contributes to a safe and healthy living environment for both current residents and future inhabitants.

Although all preparatory steps have now been completed — from remediation to permitting — the project is currently on hold pending a legal decision. We are ready to move forward with shaping Asse Still as soon as the legal proceedings are concluded.

29/12/2022 Application for subdivision permit

On 29 December 2022, we submitted an application for a new subdivision permit. This phase includes a mix of family houses and apartments, tailored to the housing needs in Asse. We are not only focused on providing high-quality housing, but also on meeting the practical needs of the surrounding neighbourhood. For example, we are planning sufficient parking spaces, including for visitors, to reduce pressure on the local area.

10/07/2023 Soil remediation

Soil remediation works began in the summer of 2023.

Due to past industrial activities, certain pollutants had entered the soil. While this contamination did not pose an immediate health risk, we chose to clean the soil before starting construction — as required by law.

Thanks to this intervention, the site is now significantly cleaner and healthier — an important step toward a safe and sustainable development of the new neighbourhood.

The remediation works were completed in the summer of 2024.

02/12/2022 Demolition of the Stillemans factory site completed

The former factory buildings on the Stillemans site were demolished in 2022.

A total of 20,000 m² of industrial structures was demolished and de-paved — the equivalent of 400 containers of material.

We also recovered 120 pallets of bricks for reuse.

25/05/2021 Demolition of the first buildings

In May 2021, the contractor demolished the first five buildings along Brusselsesteenweg.

Utility connections were disconnected and removed, and all buildings were sealed off. The next step involves the demolition of the remaining structures.

The timing for the construction of the new buildings depends on the outcome of the ongoing procedure before the Council for Permit Disputes. We are ready to move forward as soon as a final decision is reached.

06/05/2019 Signing of the brownfield covenant

In May 2019, the Flemish Region, OVAM, the municipality, and the various landowners signed a brownfield covenant.

This agreement paves the way for the redevelopment of neglected, contaminated and/or underused sites, ensuring they are revitalised and redeveloped in a high-quality manner. It forms the foundation for the remediation of the site.

26/03/2018 Approval of the spatial implementation plan

On 26 March 2018, the municipal council of Asse approved the ‘Kerremans 2020’ spatial implementation plan.

A spatial implementation plan (RUP) defines the designated land use within a specific area. In this case, the former industrial zone was reclassified to make way for residential development and facilities such as shops, hospitality, offices, and services.

02/01/2017 Spatial implementation plan

Alongside the soil investigation, the municipality drafted a local spatial implementation plan (RUP). Such a plan changes the designated use of a specific area. As there are no longer any industrial activities on the site, its designation is being changed from an industrial zone to a residential neighbourhood.

Show more updates

Frequently Asked Questions

What has already taken place on the site?

Quite a lot, in fact. For many years, the former Stillemans site was a neglected, heavily paved area affected by vacancy, contamination and safety issues. Over the past few years, the site has been gradually cleared and prepared, in close collaboration with OVAM and other partners.

What has already been completed:

The former factory buildings have been demolished (a total of 20,000 m²)
The site has been depaved and remediated, with contaminated soil removed
400 containers of construction waste have been transported off site
120 pallets of bricks have been recovered for reuse
The site has been secured and squatters were removed in consultation with the police and the municipality

Thanks to these interventions, the site is now construction-ready and in a safe and clean condition; prepared for the gradual development of a new, green neighbourhood.

When and how will this neighbourhood go on sale?

We understand that many people are eagerly awaiting the launch of sales in the new Asse Still neighbourhood. However, we must wait for the outcome of the ongoing appeal procedure before we can provide concrete timing for the start of sales.

What are the next steps in the Asse Still project?

The preparatory steps — including remediation, demolition, and the permit application — have now been completed. At this stage, we are awaiting a decision from the Council for Permit Disputes. Once this decision is made, we can begin the further development of the new residential neighbourhood. This will include the construction of roads, parks and squares, housing, and the launch of sales.

How will construction traffic be organised in the future?

During previous works, construction traffic was primarily routed via Brusselsesteenweg to minimise disruption to the surrounding neighbourhoods. For future works, we will continue to prioritise a safe and well-considered approach to site traffic, with a strong focus on preserving the liveability of the area.

We will do our best to limit any inconvenience during the construction phase. Measures may include clear signage, restricting site traffic to specific hours, and timely communication with local residents. Once construction officially begins, we will inform all stakeholders with concrete details.

Have the demolition works at Asse Still been completed?

Yes, the demolition works on the Asse Still site have now been fully completed. They began in 2021 and were carried out in phases to minimise disruption to the neighbourhood. Today, all former buildings have been removed, and the site is ready for the next step in the development of the new residential neighbourhood.