Local residents of wood waste company Greenblocks in Coevorden are again complaining about nuisance. Last May the company’s production hall went up in flames and the work temporarily stopped. A ‘relief’ for the local residents who are concerned about the nuisance of the company. But recently, the biomass installation has restarted on the site and local residents are again suffering from soot particles and noise.
“Last summer we had the windows loose here, while normally that really is not possible,” says Dineke Eikens. From her house she overlooks the wood processing company in the center of Coevorden. Together with dozens of other local residents, Eikens has been opposed to the nuisance that the company causes for years. From the neighborhood they have made various reports of nuisance. For example, wood fabric would descend on houses and in gardens and local residents find soot particles around the house. Moreover, there is a lot of noise nuisance and there is an annoying air.
The nuisance stopped after the company’s production hall was destroyed by a fire last May. The company was busy cleaning up the damage and production at the company during the summer. But in August the biomassa kettle on the site was put into use again. “Exactly what we were so afraid of,” sighs Eikens.
Greenblocks manager Wolter Hijlkema is familiar with the complaints of local residents. “After a test period, we are starting the biomass boilers one by one. In addition, more noise wants to be released than usual,” he explains. “On an industrial estate in this category there is a certain degree of nuisance. I understand that those people experience nuisance in their own way. But if you are going to live at Schiphol, you also hear that an airplane is flying over.”
Hijlkema is clear about the soot particles. “At the start -up it is possible that some soot was released there, but I have seen one complaint about it from the municipality, then no longer. I assume that the two boilers are now in normal company and that it is no longer the case.” In addition, he indicates that the company has taken measures that should limit the nuisance. For example, they have installed a steam damper and had a noise measurement performed.
But local residents don’t leave it at that. They point out that the biomass installation does not have the right permit to be at this location. For example, a letter from the municipality to the city council would show that the burner has a capital of more than 15 megawatts. A special environmental permit is required for a burner with this capital in the Netherlands. A permit that the company does not have.
Greenblocks manager Hijlkema denies that the installation has more than 15 megawatt power. “The installation was purchased for 14.9 megawatts. That is how the manufacturer has delivered them.” For a combustion installation of 14.9 megawatts, only a reporting obligation applies, no permit obligation. “You buy machines that you know you can use. You don’t buy a machine that has a higher power than what is allowed within your permit.”
In addition, Hijlkema emphasizes: “The claim that the biomass plant has a capacity of more than 15 megawatts is based on an incorrect interpretation of the documentation supplied by the power station.” Hijlkema reacts soberly to the question whether the biomass installation can run at the moment. “You will first have to have official observation that the installation would not comply with the standard. We have not received it and so we did not buy the installation. If an official investigation has been conducted, we will link it back to the supplier.”
The municipality of Coevorden confirms that it has currently not given a special environmental permit to Greenblocks. According to the municipality, it not only depends on the assets of the installation whether a permit is required, but also on other factors. The municipality indicates to investigate this. “After the fire in May 2025, priority was given to discussions with the company about the future,” said the municipality.
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