A reception location was planned at Breezand, just below the border with Den Helder, for a maximum of 255 people, who could stay there for up to five years.
The shelter should be ready by December 31, 2025 at the latest, but according to the North Holland municipality, the COA ‘has not provided the required documents for the permit application in a timely and complete manner, which is causing the permit procedure to be delayed and construction cannot start’.
Trust damaged
According to Mayor Rian van Dam (PvdA), the situation not only has consequences for the progress of the project, but also affects the credibility of the municipality towards its residents. In a statement, she said: “If COA does not provide important information or provides it too late, we cannot properly inform our residents. This damages trust – not only in this collaboration, but also more broadly in the government.”
The municipality adds: “The lack of clear communication by COA places us in a difficult position towards residents and increases social unrest.”
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