The project received the support of several local elected officials but also of the prefecture of Ille-et-Vilaine, which issued a decree authorizing the construction on July 1st. But in the ranks of environmental associations, the factory project of the Bridor brand does not pass. Owned by the Le Duff empire, the industrial bakery company aims to build a new production site for pastries in Liffré, north-east of Rennes. As a result, the group founded by Breton entrepreneur Louis Le Duff promises “500 non-relocatable jobs”. A project that will not be without environmental consequences. Its detractors denounce the artificialization of 21 hectares of agricultural land but above all the enormous impact on water resources. Elected environmentalists but also members of the Generations movement have made known their opposition to the project.
Too much drinking water
According to initial estimates, the plant could swallow up to 200,000 m³ of water per year, equivalent to the consumption of 1,700 households. “We do not choose to install a factory like this anywhere, especially when it comes to consuming a lot of drinking water”, denounced Josseline Theaudin, co-founder of the Colère collective, during the demonstration organized on Saturday 24 September in Liffré. “This Bridor factory is absolutely not of general interest. The prefect maintains that it is, ”added the activist. About 300 people gathered to denounce this establishment.
This investment, estimated at 250 million euros, is the subject of several legal actions. Appeals aimed at modifying the PLU (local urban plan) and the building permit have already been formulated. Soon, it is the authorization to operate that will be challenged by the opponents. In their ranks, many denounce the “above ground” production of the factory. Specializing in industrial pastries, Bridor derives most of its turnover from exports, notably supplying hotel chains all over the world. The Le Duff group employs more than 35,000 people, for a 2019 turnover of 2.05 billion euros.