De Merel

Fragmented greenspace
The domain De Merel in Brecht is a large area of around 156 hectares situated between the road linking Brecht and Schoten and the canal leading to Turnhout. It consists of a highly varied mix of nature, landscape and recreational elements.

The role of Kempens Landschap
The domain De Merel is now the property of the city of Antwerp, which would like to sell. Since 2003, our organisation has promoted this dossier in order to preserve and manage the area as a whole. In order to be able to purchase part of the domain, Kempens Landschap received a subsidy in 2015 from the Strategic Project ‘Bebouwd Perifeer Landschap’ (Built Peripheral Landscape). With it, and in cooperation with the municipality of Brecht, we will acquire 76 hectares of agricultural land. The wooded area of approximately 52 hectares that remains will be purchased by the Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos.