The Wakker Emmen group is planning to partially block the granting of the permit for a protected living location on Boslaan in Emmen. Zorgbestantie Limor plans to realize 39 care apartments for protected and sheltered living.
Yesterday an information evening for local residents was held in the relevant building. The location is located at the station area, where for years there has been nuisance caused by homeless, drug addicts and Safeelanders. They fear an increase in that problem with the Limor location in the area.
The neighborhood also felt overwhelmed by the news. Limor settled in the building at the beginning of this year, but did not decide not to contact local residents immediately. The instance acknowledged that they had dropped a stitch there. Councilor Dennis Dekker van Wakker Emmen was also present at the meeting and was shocked by the reactions. “The people who came in were already on sharp. And rightly so: they are invited if everything seems to be settled. The emotions were high. I understand those feelings very well.”
After consultation with his group, it was decided to take action. Limor settles on Boslaan 138, 139 and 140. Dekker: “There is a zoning plan on numbers 138 and 139 on which a care institution may be established permit -free.”
According to Dekker, that means that the municipality can legally do nothing about that. But it is different for house number 140. A change in destination is required (there is now a residential destination, ed.) And he wants to stop the party at all costs. “You can let people live there, but you are not allowed to provide care. Not during the day and not at night.”
If Limor wants that, then a change of destination is necessary and that offers Wakker Emmen a chance to intervene. “We just lie down for that,” says councilor firmly. “Because we just think it’s enough for that area.”
Dekker also believes that Limor acted carelessly towards the neighborhood. “They have been there since January, but residents have only been informed much later. Now that information comes afterwards, and that only arouses distrust.”
Although it is not possible to stop the entire location, Dekker still sees usefulness in the promotion. “Instead of 39 clients, 26 would come. Smaller -scale, but perhaps more manageable.”
Wakker Emmen, the largest council group in the council, will therefore ask questions during the next council meeting on 27 May. The goal is to get the change of destination. “We just want this not to take place.” Whether there is enough support for that in the council is still unclear. “We cannot steer on what the PvdA or other parties do. But I do taste that we are not the only fraction in that regard.”