This year, the municipality of Coevorden is going to investigate the Molenakkers 2 housing location in Dalen. Plans to build on this location were previously stopped due to archaeological finds in the ground.
In 2004, 2 remains of old settlements and graves were found in the Molenakkers district. Due to the great archaeological value in the ground, the middle part of the area was not allowed to be built on and eventually only eight homes were built on the edge of the area.
The new research was proposed via a BBC2014, PAC and PPC motion and was adopted by the city council. According to the parties, archaeological finds can now be accurately recorded and housing in an archaeological location is still possible. With the investigation into construction, the parties want to respond to the housing shortage in the municipality.
Alderman Jeroen Huizing discouraged the motion and thereby referred to the Malta Convention. The Malta Convention is a European agreement that requires Member States to protect archaeological heritage. Huizing called the Molenakkers 2 area on the basis of an earlier study ‘Archaeologically very valuable’ and preferred to see these finds left alone.