The plan to build sixteen lifelong homes on the Oude Velddijk in Peize is not well received by everyone. Seven local residents have gone to the Council of State to express their concerns about the Naoberhof project by the municipality of Noordenveld, the Knarrenhof Foundation and the Woonborg housing association.
The neighbors want the plan to go back to the drawing board. With the current design, they are concerned about flooding, among other things. The building site will be raised by an average of 80 centimeters, says a resident who lives with his family south of the plan area. “Our home has been family owned for the third generation. We fear much more flooding. The water will soon all flow into our home.”
On the east and north sides, residents fear that the new houses, which can be up to ten meters high if raised, will take away too much sunlight. “That’s just too high for this place,” says another neighbor.
According to local residents, there is little demand for additional senior housing in Peize. “People usually have larger homes and stay there as long as possible. They are not going to move to a courtyard.”
The municipality emphasizes that this concerns lifelong homes, not only for the elderly, but also for younger residents. Ten of the sixteen homes will become affordable rental properties through the housing association.
To limit the risk of flooding, a wadi will be built on the south side with a weir that drains the water to a main waterway. “The water does not flow towards the neighbors’ houses,” the municipality assures.
The Council of State examines the residents’ objections and will rule on the construction plan within a few weeks. Until then, it remains exciting for the neighbors whether Naoberhof can continue in its current form.