LTO Noord – West Friesland department – and local residents have informed the municipality of Stede Broec in a letter that a reception location for Ukrainians on the Voetakkers is not suitable, and have lodged an objection against the plan.
“But let me put one thing first,” says LTO chairman Trude Buysman. “We are not against the arrival of Ukrainians in rural areas. But the suitability of this must be examined together with local residents and companies. Does it fit and what is the impact actually?”
Because, according to Buysman, the intended location is unsafe and it can cause nuisance. “There is no safe footpath or bicycle path along the road. That is worrying, because many trucks drive here. There is also no sewerage system or fiberglass, and struggles the electricity network is already experiencing capacity problems.”
No amenities
Buysman points to more suitable reception locations, including the ice rink in Enkhuizen and the KGB football complex in Bovenkarspel. “The current location is in the middle of the countryside, far from the village and the shops. For the quality of life, a location in a residential area is much better. There is therefore a train station nearby.”
Furthermore, the owners of horticultural businesses, who surround the allocated location, are concerned that the location will be given ‘permanent status’. This would be at the expense of agricultural acreage, which is already being lost too much. “In view of the food crisis, which threatens to approach, that is not convenient. Be careful with it.”
Locations are scarce
The municipality of Stede Broec says in a response that they understand the concerns from the environment. However, finding suitable locations – in the short term – is difficult. “It is a major challenge for municipalities to realize reception locations for the medium term. The number of available locations in the short term is not very large. In Stede Broec, the location on the Voetakkers is a location that can be developed into a reception location in the short term. “, a spokesperson explains to NH Nieuws/WEEFF.
In recent weeks, the municipality has held talks with local residents. “This raised a number of questions and concerns for which we are looking for a solution. Our starting point is that the reception location must not harm the business operations of the surrounding companies. We would like to look at how we can make the reception location possible together with local residents.”
The local residents are still waiting for a response from the municipality before they want to respond substantively.