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Giant housing estate to block view of Cézanne’s mountain in south of France
Mayor insists the houses are badly needed and that there has been consultation
French silence now means ‘non’, not ‘oui'
The principle of tacit planning acceptance from authorities has been overturned in the case of mountain pasture chalets or summer buildings. Four months of silence now indicates refusal rather than approval.

A new decree states that applications for such mountain properties, which are popular with holidaymakers, that are filed after February 1 must be formally approved within four months – otherwise they must be considered rejected. This is the opposite of other planning rules.