The most ambitious part of the plan is to remeander the stream. According to the citizens’ initiative, this is best done at Scheursmaat.
Now a huge agricultural plot between the Westerborker district of De Kampen and the straightened stream. There should also be a beach there, like the ones that currently exist on Overijssel streams such as the Dinkel and the Regge.
Rook thinks that the fact that the municipality has the same location in mind for housing does not have to be mutually exclusive. “Then the stream can flow through the new residential area and children can float from the beach with their air mattress.”
The question remains whether housing can be built. There are three thick gas transport pipelines in the area.
The provincial government’s response to the citizens’ initiative is somewhat formal. According to the Provincial Executive, the citizens’ initiative should mainly be submitted to the water board and the municipality with their plans. Because the water board is responsible for the stream and water quality, and the municipality is responsible for any new housing estate.
But the same provincial government recently included a substantial chapter in the draft environmental vision on the future of stream valleys such as the Westerborkerstroom. These stream valleys must be greener, the water must be cleaner, there must be more recreation in them and the stream valleys must also be wider and wetter where possible.
So it is unclear why the province does not see a role for itself. In any case, the men of the citizens’ initiative are not deterred by this.
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