Belgian urban redevelopment specialist Uplace said on Monday that it has received the building permit for its flagship Uplace Machelen mixed-use development project at Canal Zone, a former industrial area in Brussels.

The project, one of the largest retail-led developments currently planned for the Benelux region, has received backing from the Flemish Government, the municipality of Machelen, and the Flemish public waste agency.

Uplace expects to receive the final, environmental permit from the Flemish Government in early 2012.

Initially launched in 2008, Machelen is a major redevelopment project encompassing a total of 190,000 m2 including offices, publics spaces, retail facilities as well as hotel accommodation. The development - due for completion in 2014 - is expected to represent an investment of some EUR 600 mln.