The self-built scaffolding of residents of the Leidsevaart in Vogelenzang must eventually be demolished. The municipality of Bloemendaal has declared them illegal and tolerates the current use of the scaffolding, but the scaffolding must be removed when the houses are sold. Much to the chagrin of resident Reinier Weijland. “I’ve lived here for 43 years and I’m really mad about this.”
Residents of the Leidsevaart have tiny backyards, which abut the railway line. Sitting quietly in the garden is not really possible because an express train races past every fifteen minutes. They therefore look for peace and space at the front of their home, on the other side of the road near the water. They have built small jetties there that they have been using for years. Most are furnished with a table, chairs and sometimes a swimming ladder. “For us, this is a wonderful place where we enjoy a glass of wine in the evening and a cup of coffee in the morning,” says resident Nienke Beintema.
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The jetties contribute to the coziness in the neighbourhood. The residents often meet on the jetty after work to enjoy the peace and nature. But whether this will still be possible in the future seems uncertain at the moment.
The residents were informed by the municipality of Bloemendaal that the scaffolding has been declared illegal and that they are only tolerated. When moving, the scaffolding must be dismantled. Beintema does not understand that the Bloemendaal municipality has suddenly decided this.
“We have always had good consultations with the municipality. From 2016 to 2019 we discussed what that tolerance policy should look like. After that, we heard nothing at all. And suddenly a letter lands on our mat, that’s how we will do it and no possibility of objection,” said Beintema.
False against
Residents fear that the municipality will eventually decide that they will have to tear down the scaffolding if they sign the contract, which they received last week. “If someone from the municipality decides next year that we have to tear them down, then I don’t have a leg to stand on,” says Reinier Weijland. “I am absolutely against this.” Weijland and the other residents think it is a shame, since the scaffolding is well maintained and makes a major contribution to the enjoyment of living. “It is simply destruction of living pleasure and for what?”, Beintema wonders. “It’s so pointless.”
Two permits
Most residents still have a permit to use the jetty, which has been issued by the Rijnland water board. Jan Rooijmeijer even has two, one from Rijnland and one from the municipality of Bloemendaal. He doesn’t understand that they can just be declared invalid. “I just don’t think it’s neat.”
Municipality of Bloemendaal
The municipality of Bloemendaal indicates that the Rijnland water board has previously allowed the jetties to be built in the water, but that the residents do not have a permit. The jetties are on municipal land and are therefore owned by the municipality of Bloemendaal. There are several reasons why the municipality has opted for the extinction policy.
Because permits for moorings have been introduced in Heemstede and Haarlem, many people went to Bloemendaal with their boats. That is why the municipality has also had to introduce permits and built jetties for the moorings. To keep the landscape beautiful and to prevent clutter, Bloemendaal only wants to keep uniform jetties that have been constructed by the municipality itself. The maintenance of self-built scaffolding would also be difficult and the authority wants to limit the risks of damage or injury on and near the scaffolding, since the municipality is officially liable.
Motion
Hart voor Bloemendaal will submit a motion to the city council next week for the preservation of the scaffolding. “We want to keep the scaffolding and not a death house construction”, the party chairman, Marielys Roos, told NH Nieuws. “We think that is just reasonable and fair. The residents have been waiting since 2016. First they were promised to legalize and now it is a construction for the elderly. Demolition of beautiful scaffolding is also a waste of capital. Give these residents their scaffolding. .”