The arrival of an asylum seeker center in the town of Oldebroek has been postponed due to nitrogen regulations

There will be no center for asylum seekers near the town of Harde in Gelderland. The plans are not feasible due to, among other things, the regulations regarding nitrogen emissions and requirements for the protection of plants and animals, the city of Oldebroek reports. The planned shelter caused a lot of unrest in the town.

The asylum seeker center should accommodate around three hundred asylum seekers. According to the city of Oldebroek, where ‘t Harde is located, the nature and environment regulations “provide too much uncertainty to apply for a permit”. The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has drawn this decision “after fifteen turbulent months”, the city reports.

The COA had announced plans to build the shelter last June. “We look back on a turbulent time, for us as a city but certainly for our residents,” said Mayor Haseloop-Amsing. Omroep Gelderland.

After several nitrogen studies, it has become clear that nitrogen precipitation is an obstacle to the construction of the asylum seeker center.

“The requirements in the area of ​​nitrogen and flora and fauna in particular cause too much uncertainty. This means that the research for this place will stop,” said the town.

The council, the Gelderland region and the COA regret the long process and the uncertainty involved in the whole file. “We look back on a turbulent time, for us as a city, but certainly for our residents,” said Mayor Haseloop-Amsing.

Residents opposing the asylum seeker center collected thousands of signatures. A spokesperson for the residents told Omroep Gelderland that there is relief. “There is clarity now at last.”