When looking to enroll a child in leisure activities, understand local urban planning regulations, or simply find out who manages waste collection, one often comes across two names: the community of communes of Bellegardois and the community of communes Canaux et Forêts en Gâtinais. The link between the two is not always clear, and the services offered have evolved significantly since the merger in 2017.
From Bellegardois to Canaux et Forêts en Gâtinais: what the merger has changed in daily life
The community of communes of Bellegardois was created on December 13, 2004, by grouping together 12 municipalities in Loiret, which had nearly 7,000 inhabitants at the time. Bellegarde, Ladon, Quiers-sur-Bezonde, Nesploy, and Ouzouer-sous-Bellegarde were among the founding members.
On January 1, 2017, this intercommunal entity disappeared to merge into the community of communes Canaux et Forêts en Gâtinais (3CFG). The scope was expanded, the headquarters and competencies were reorganized, but for the residents of Bellegardois, the most tangible change concerns the location of contacts and the way to access services.
Updated information on the functioning of this intercommunal entity can be found on cc-bellegardois.fr, which remains an entry point for procedures related to the historical territory of Bellegardois.
PLUi and urban planning in Bellegardois: the framework that applies today
Before the merger, each municipality in Bellegardois had its own local urban planning plan or a municipal map. With the 3CFG, it is now an intercommunal local urban planning plan (PLUi) that governs land use across the entire territory.
For an individual wishing to build, expand, or change the use of a building, the basic rule has not changed: a file must be submitted to the town hall. However, the review is handled by the shared urban planning service of the community of communes.
Where to consult the intercommunal local urban planning plan
The PLUi defines buildable areas, height regulations, land occupancy, and environmental protections. It can be consulted at the town hall or with the urban planning service of the 3CFG. The zoning varies significantly from one municipality to another, particularly between Bellegarde (more urban) and the rural municipalities of Gâtinais where agricultural and landscape constraints limit buildable land.
For any construction project, checking the PLUi zoning before signing a preliminary agreement avoids delays that can last several months.
Child and leisure services: an intercommunal organization to know
One of the areas where the 3CFG is most directly involved in the daily lives of families is leisure activities. The network covers several sites spread across the territory, with specific features depending on the periods.
- Some leisure centers operate only on Wednesdays (Bellegarde, Ladon, for example), while others open exclusively during school holidays.
- Sites like Lorris, Varennes-Changy, Thimory, Châtillon-Coligny, Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, or Montcresson complete the intercommunal network.
- Registrations are done through an online family space (Inoé platform), allowing for the management of bookings, invoices, and changes without having to travel.
This dematerialization makes life easier for parents, but feedback on this point varies: some families report a period of adjustment to the digital tool, especially in the less connected municipalities.
Waste collection and recent adjustments
Waste management is one of the competencies transferred to the intercommunal entity. It is noted that afternoon collection routes have been pushed later to adapt to the logistical constraints of the expanded territory. To know the specific day and time of collection according to one’s municipality, one must refer to the collection calendar published by the 3CFG, updated each year.
Roads and community works in Gâtinais
Roads represent a significant budget item for a rural intercommunal entity. The 3CFG ensures the maintenance and repair of roads of community interest, meaning the routes that connect municipalities or serve intercommunal facilities.
Work on purely municipal roads remains the responsibility of each town hall. This division sometimes creates confusion among residents, who do not always know whom to report a pothole or a damaged road to.
Reporting a road issue: the right contact
If the road in question connects two municipalities or leads to a facility managed by the 3CFG (waste collection center, leisure center, activity zone), it is the intercommunal road service that should be contacted. For a street within the village, the town hall remains responsible. In case of doubt, call the town hall of your municipality, which will redirect you to the appropriate service.
The community of communes of Bellegardois, in its current form as 3CFG, therefore manages a much larger area than the previous structure. Urban planning, childhood, waste collection, and roads form the foundation of local services that impact the daily lives of residents in Gâtinais. Keeping in mind the right entry point, depending on the nature of the request, saves valuable time.
