Tense atmosphere between the town hall of Portiragnes and a farmer installed in a protected area

Two agents of the DDTM and as many municipal police officers from Portiragnes, in the Biterrois, did not expect this Friday morning to be received by such a welcoming committee. About ten people were blocking the entrance to a path leading to a one hectare plot in the heart of a Natura 2000 protected area at a place called Les Salans.

The town hall of Portiragnes asks a farmer to stop illegal work undertaken in this area regulated of the Grande Maïre. It is for this reason that agents of the Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea went on site at the request of the Béziers public prosecutor’s office to note the accusations made. But the representatives of the State were refused access by Laurent Cros, accompanied by a bailiff he had himself appointed.

An 18-year lease signed by the farmer to raise pigs, chickens and sheep

This farmer is a former candidate engaged in municipal elections in 2014 against the current mayor, Gwendoline Chaudoir, who is convinced that he is paying a heavy price today. “We are accused of cabanisation”. This is not the case, assures Laurent Cros.

This last one is about to buy this plot of 8,000 square meters on which have been developed for 40 years, six wooden chalets, a fully equipped building with water and electricity meters as well as an agricultural shed. The whole has been tolerated by the old municipalities.

A promise to purchase was registered with the notary in early September 2021. A rental lease for a period of 18 years was also signed, allowing him to operate the premises and settle there with his future breeding.

“We are criticized for a cabanisation. We signed the promise to purchase on September 8.”

“The cabins were there long before we arrived. Children have even been here in summer camp for 40 years. We are made fun of.“said the person concerned.

What confirms Yohan, the former owner of the premises who does not understand this relentlessness against Laurent Cros. ” For three months, the municipal police have been watching us. Morning and afternoon, the officers come to take pictures, to look at what we are doing. It’s unbearableadds his partner, Véronique.

From construction machinery have indeed attracted the attention of the curious, the farmer having cleaned the space. “Five trucks full of garbage were evacuated, assures Véronique. “Heat-damaged trees were uprooted. But we plan to plant 400. “

“We don’t know who this gentleman is”, said Gwendoline Chaudoir. ”We ask him to provide us with official documents. The promise to purchase, his intentions. Nothing is legal at this time. Access to the site is refused to us like the documents we ask for. We were approached by environmental associations, by residents worried about this large-scale work on a sensitive floodable area located in the former Orb delta. “

“In periods of heavy rain, the places are inaccessible. It is a concern to know that this gentleman plans to welcome the public in this sector.“

“I am in good standing, Laurent Cros replied. And then we must stop peddling rumors in the village. We are not doing anything illegal. The idea is to make the site clean. “

“No, I do not intend to create a naturist campsite here, nor to make a swingers club and even less to breed ostriches!”

Laurent Cros claims to have all the evidence of what he says. The DDTM agents left this Friday, telling the person that he would receive a summons in the coming days.

While waiting for Laurent Cros continues its development. Ultimately, he intends to transform the premises into farm lodges, with a breeding of chickens and sheep. But the latter is already promoting it, using the photos of the former owners. It remains to prove the regularity of its activity in the offices of the DDTM during a next convocation.