About forty participants in the so-called reflection phase about the arrival of wind turbines no longer want to talk to the municipality because they do not feel taken seriously. They will inform the mayor, alderman for Spatial Planning Marieke van Doorninck and the entire council by letter.
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That there was criticism of the meetings turned out to be last week. Participants spoke of a ‘farce’ and a ‘huge waste of time’. The process will last until April, but the forty participants who have resigned under the leadership of the Windalarm action group do not want to participate anymore.
“Participants also have the idea that their input is not taken seriously and that the process is no more than a check-off operation instead of an actual inventory of arguments”, says Joost de Groot of the Windalarm action group.
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“Incorrect and unacceptable”
On Thursday, January 20, 2022, you have submitted the assessment framework ‘Signals . to the city council
offered from the city. This assessment framework has not been compiled in consultation with stakeholders. We have not been heard and have had insufficient influence on this assessment framework,” said the 41 signatories in the letter.
The participants are clear about how the process went. “Critical points were made known by several participants on several occasions. Nevertheless, you have decided to present your assessment framework to the city council for adoption. We regret that you apparently find your political agenda more important than an assessment framework carefully composed with stakeholders.”
“Participation in a process that does not listen to the input of participants, and
where, moreover, the results are presented as if they were broadly supported by the
participants is incorrect and unacceptable. It affects the credibility of the board.”
Misconception
Van Doorninck responded yesterday in a letter to the criticism. According to her, there has been a misconception about the phase. The reflection phase would be about ‘reflecting on how we can safeguard the concerns of residents of Amsterdam for the next phase’ and not about whether the windmills are a good idea. Van Doorninck did, however, promise yesterday that an additional environmental study will be carried out.
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“We are surprised by this letter in which members of the sounding boards are withdrawing. We also received a letter today with constructive comments and suggestions on behalf of the sounding boards, but apparently part of this group does not feel that things are going in the right direction Van Doorninck responds to the letter.
According to Van Doorninck, the reflection phase has not yet been completed. “The expert groups are still coming up with their advice on health and nature, so there will be a plan. Then we will have all the research in our hands to make well-considered choices. I like to do that with the city. Also with a wind alarm. also very willing to sit down with them to see if they want to rejoin the sounding board group.”
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