This morning, Alderman Rutger Schonis (D66) presented the locations where Middelburg wants to build homes until 2040. That should be 900 homes, in various price ranges. Because the number of intended homes will probably not be built in all locations due to, among other things, expected legal action from local residents, the municipality is still looking at reserve locations for another 300 houses with a view to ultimately building 1,200 houses. But if everything goes according to plan, those 300 houses will not be built. What will happen in any case: the construction of 750 social homes until 2030.
The choice of construction locations was preceded by a special form of participation. More than 60 residents of Middelburg were invited to propose locations in a residents’ council. Schonis received it on November 8. There were choices that surprised him. The municipality had said in advance that the residents’ opinion would weigh heavily, but that B&W would ultimately make a choice, which would be submitted to the municipal council.
This morning Schonis presented that choice. He had not adopted certain ideas from the residents’ council. for example, to build on the historic Damplein. That location is less strange than it may seem, because there were houses there until the 1960s. B&W will not immediately adopt the proposal for housing on top of the Tref shopping center, but they do want to think about it.
Also remarkable: a new residential area northeast of Arnemuiden, right next to the Veerse Meer. Schonis: “That is right next to a nature reserve, but the location itself is not. So we are going to look at it seriously, but we are not mentioning the number of homes for that location. Or next to the roundabout on the N57, at the Klarenbeek exit. But Fifty homes may be added to the meadow. No more, because then Middelburg and Brigdamme will grow together and we don’t want that.”
And again the alderman pointed out a possible new location on the map of Middelburg. Until he arrived at De Cleene Hooge. Schonis: “Well, De Cleene Hooge. That is a sensitive matter, everyone knows that.”
How sensitive became apparent in recent months when B&W designated the meadow area west of Middelburg as a location for a new asylum seeker center. It led to many protests among local residents and from some parties in the municipal council to the express wish to safeguard the area for further construction after the construction of the asylum seekers’ center.
Schonis: “It has always been a reserve location. That has not changed. So if it is not necessary, we will not build there. But if we do not achieve the desired number at the other intended locations, then we will also have to look at De Cleene Hooge .”
However, it is highly questionable whether a possible proposal for a maximum of 400 homes there will ever reach the political finish line in the council. That is why Schonis postpones this hot potato for a while. The council will decide on the currently chosen locations in February, and a proposal on possible construction in De Cleene Hooge will follow before the summer.
This is an article from WFM96.
2023-12-20 20:41:27
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