No ‘ugly high fences’ in sight, lots of nature and as little inconvenience as possible for the environment. It is becoming increasingly clear what the Ministry of Defense has in mind with the new barracks of the Command Groups (KCT) Corps. This is apparent from a map that was announced by the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday. “We want to do everything we can to be a good neighbor,” says a spokesperson on behalf of Defense.
The wish of the commands is a modern, future -proof barracks. In terms of location, they have dropped their eye in a place in the outskirts of Nispen. This place has since been designated as a preferred location. According to Defense, the current barracks in Roosendaal and Rucphen are outdated, not sustainable and too small. They offer too little room for the tasks and staff of the Special Forces of the army. They also do not match the desire to place all facilities in one place.
There are no design sketches of the new barracks yet. However, the so -called stain board map in general shows how Defense wants to set up the site. In addition to buildings for alloys (stays of commands), offices and classrooms, there is room for a company restaurant and a medical center. There are sports facilities such as a climbing tower, an obstacle course and sports fields.
Green buffer
Furthermore, the new barracks are supposed to have its own shooting range, storage spaces – including a ammunition bunker – and a space to practice with small drones. According to the Ministry of Defense, the buildings from the public road will be ‘kept out of sight as much as possible’. For the accessibility of the barracks, a new roundabout must be laid on the main road between Roosendaal and Essen in Belgium.
With regard to noise pollution, the Ministry of Defense says that the elite corps keeps most exercises, 85 percent, outside the barracks, such as on the Rucphense Heide. Training within the barracks that could possibly cause nuisance for local residents or the cattle in the meadow are announced in advance. “We continue to look for possibilities to keep the sound limited. But we will not succeed completely,” says the defense spokesperson.
There are four agricultural companies on the site where the new barracks are planned. When the plans become final, these entrepreneurs will have to give up their business in the long term. The Ministry of Defense is in conversation with the farmers involved to achieve ‘appropriate agreements’. The negotiations are still ongoing.
Final decision
At the end of 2026, the final decision on the construction of the new barracks will be taken. Defense wants to ‘explicitly’ involve local residents in the interpretation of the design. If everything goes according to plan, the new barracks will be delivered in 2036 and will be put into use in 2037. On Tuesday evening Defense will hold a second information evening for interested parties about the progress of the plans.