Een GRUP-procedure bestaat uit 7 stappen. Het door de Vlaamse overheid samengestelde planteam doorloopt deze stappen: 

  1. Preparation of start note and process note: The start note describes the objective of the GRUP and the possible spatial developments. The process note describes how the planning process will take place and how participation will be organised. The process note will be updated during the procedure based on changes in this planning process.
  2. Public consultation and request for advice: Stakeholders and advisory bodies are given the opportunity to give their opinion on the starting note. Infrabel, together with the Plan Team, organises several information meetings for this purpose. 
  3. Drafting scoping note: Based on the information and advice received, the scoping note defines the spatial aspects to be investigated. It also determines which impacts will be assessed and which methods will be used for this, as well as the impact assessments that should or should not be carried out and their implementation methods. This note may receive updates during the course of the procedure based on advancing insight.
  4. Preparation of preliminary draft SIP and draft EIR plan: In this phase, the plan is further elaborated and various alternatives are examined and assessed. Among other things, possible impacts, such as environmental effects, are examined. This process is necessary to arrive at a preliminary draft of the Spatial Implementation Plan (SIP). Advice is sought on the result at the end of this phase. 
  5. Draft SIP and plan EIA: In this phase, based on the opinions received, the Plan Team further elaborates the plan. The plan discusses the zoning changes, but also, for example, the mitigation measures that may be needed to limit negative impacts. The draft SIP also contains a quality assessment. The Flemish government provisionally adopts the draft SIP and the EIR plan.
  6. Public review: The draft SIP and EIR plan are then made public. We submit the plans for public inspection. Interested parties can submit their views.
  7. Final adoption of SIP: We incorporate the results of the public study into the final Spatial Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP is then officially adopted by the Flemish government. This happens at the same time as the final Preferred Decision in the Netherlands. This final SIP lays down the ultimate zoning of the plots and the rules for development in the area.