The judge hearing the summary proceedings rejects the challenge to the Blanquefort building permit.

On September 3, 2026, the interim relief judge dismissed the application filed against a building permit for the EMME project

Proceedings brought against a prefectural authorization

In mid-August 2026, the municipalities of Blanquefort and Saint-Louis-de-Montferrand, the Sepanso Gironde association, and four local residents filed an application for interim relief seeking the suspension of one of the two orders issued by the Gironde Prefecture granting the building permit related to the Blanquefort municipality of the EMME project. The hearing took place on September 2, 2026. All parties were able to present their arguments before the interim relief judge.

Application dismissed by the interim relief judge

In an order issued on September 3, 2026, the interim relief judge dismissed the application seeking suspension of the Blanquefort building permit and ordered the applicants to pay EMME, jointly and severally, the sum of €1,500 pursuant to Article L. 761-1 of the French Code of Administrative Justice.

No serious grounds

The interim relief judge held that none of the grounds raised by the applicants was capable of creating a serious doubt as to the legality of the building permit. The order confirms that the EMME project was reviewed jointly by the State authorities, which on that occasion, assessed compliance with the applicable rules globally. This decision further strengthens the legal and technical robustness of the EMME project, which was thoroughly reviewed by the State authorities and the relevant technical bodies.

The EMME project

The EMME project is part of an ambition to reindustrialize France, strengthen European sovereignty across battery and defense value chains, and create jobs in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. EMME is continuing to take the necessary steps to implement the project, in compliance with the applicable regulatory framework and in cooperation with the relevant authorities.