This is one of those projects that divides a population. In Liffré, near Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), the bakery factory project carried out by the Bridor group is the subject of fierce protest. Associations and elected environmentalists in the territory are particularly concerned about its impact on water resources, while Brittany is hit by one of the worst droughts in its contemporary history. The Le Duff group, which carries the project, estimates that its factory will consume around 200,000 m³ of water per year, or the equivalent of the consumption of 1,700 households. This site will complement the existing factory in Servon-sur-Vilaine and will employ up to 500 people when it has reached cruising speed. Millions of croissants and other industrial pastries labeled made in France will come out and go all over the world to feed hotel guests. “Above-ground production”, denounce the opponents. “A very good news for employment”, argue its defenders.
If the project is the subject of strong criticism, it has however received the green light from the State, which validated the installation of the industrialist at the beginning of the summer. The agri-food factory had just received a favorable opinion following the public inquiry carried out among the population, despite strong objections. The commissioner considered that on the question of water, the installation “was completely acceptable with regard to the annual production of the Collectivité of water in the Rennes basin”. A conclusion made before the territory fell into a drought crisis.
For the first time since it gave the green light, the State has agreed to express itself on this file, in particular on the thorny question of this water resource. “An industrialist will always consume water. It’s all about balance. This dossier, like all the others, has been subjected to an environmental assessment. There was a lot of work upstream to improve the first copy. Is it optimal? In any case, the authorization procedures are framed, ”said Paul-Marie Claudon, the new secretary general of the prefecture of Ille-et-Vilaine. The water consumption of the equipment would thus have been divided “by three or by four” compared to the original project. A DDTM agent goes further. “This is a project that could serve as an example for many other companies already established in the area”.
The Bridor factory? ” A symbol “
In the ranks of the Joint Water Management Union (SMG), the discourse is the same. “Bridor alone does not call into question the securing of the territory’s drinking water resources”, assures Joseph Boivent, its president. And the ongoing dispute? “This project is more of a symbol. The demographic dynamics of Ille-et-Vilaine increases consumption by 300,000 m³ per year”. He, who also chairs the local water commission, knows the Couesnon well, a watercourse battered by drought from which Bridor will come to pump its water. Despite the large quantity of water that will be withdrawn, his authority also gave a favorable opinion on the project. “What the territory needs are reservoirs to slow down the water cycle. Bridor has worked a lot on the issue of bocage and wetlands to better answer this question,” says the mayor of La Bazouge-du-Désert.
Arguments that do not convince opponents of the project, the cost of which is estimated at 250 million euros. Collectives have launched several legal actions to contest the modification of the PLU (local urban plan) and the building permit. Soon, it is the authorization to operate that should be challenged. Bridor hopes for its part that the production of its pastries which will be dedicated to export will be able to start in 2024.