Luxembourg should build more and faster to overcome the housing crisis. Environment Minister Serge Wilmes is therefore planning to reduce bureaucratic hurdles in nature conservation. On Friday he presented his planned changes to the nature conservation law at a press conference.
Approvals and deadlines
The most important progress, according to the press release from the Ministry of the Environment: the introduction of the principle “silence is considered consent”. If the administration does not respond within a certain period of time, applications for building plans should be considered approved. In addition, there will no longer be any need to obtain permits for smaller construction projects.
In addition, approval applications are standardized and examination procedures are modernized. “Standardization is already contributing to a significant reduction in processing times to the benefit of citizens,” writes the Environment Ministry. According to the ministry, the nature and forestry administration has already managed to significantly shorten processing times. In the first four months of 2026, an application was completed on average within just under 113 calendar days of receipt. In 2025 it took more than 200 days.
Loud criticism
The opposition and civil society have so far not been sparing in criticizing Wilmes’ plans. “Instead of simplifications, uncertainties in the procedures are complicated rather than simplified,” said Green Party President François Benoy in October last year. Instead, the door is being opened to destruction.
Mouvéco President Blanche Weber also made her displeasure clear on the radio – and even wants to take Wilmes’ nature conservation law to court at EU level.
