Vanderputten Country/Territory Belgium Type of court National - higher court Date Sep 18, 2003 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name Conseil d'Etat Seat of court Brussels Judge Hanotiau Reference number 123057 Language French Subject Legal questions, Environment gen. Keyword Public participation Abstract This case concerned the elements of the right to an healthy environment (article 23 Constitution). The claimants sought the annulment of an decision granting a building permit for a woodworking workshop. The claimants argued that they should have been consulted in the framework of this decision.The Conseil d'Etat stated that the right to an healthy environment includes the right to take part to environmental management and the opportunity to make its view known.It declared that interested third parties, in this case citizens living close to the project who I have lodged appeals against the decision, must be considered as parties. Consequently they must be invited to appear during the hearing. Given the fact that these third parties were not consulted, the right to an healthy environment was violated.Consequently the Conseil d'Etat annulled the decision. Full text CE Belgium, 18 September 2003, n°123.057.pdf 123057.pdf