A large majority of the Provincial States is positive about the expansion plans of Defense in Brabant. That became apparent on Friday during a discussion of the plans in the Provinciehuis in Den Bosch. But there are concerns about the space that the Ministry of Defense needs. Because where the empire requires space for defense, less is left for other things that the empire also asks from Brabant, such as building houses or the energy transition.
Last month it was announced that Defense will expand considerably. For example, the army barracks in Budel will open again, the Brigade in Oirschot is expanding the training grounds, the Marechaussee gets its own training center in Veldhoven and a shooting range will be installed at Woensdrecht Air Base.
“We no longer have to ask the question about usefulness and necessity,” said Carola Meuwissen of the VVD. Most parties agree with her that the expansion of defense, given the unrest in the world, is needed.
Worry about space
Nevertheless, the space of the plans are also worried. Because giving space to the Ministry of Defense means that there is less room left for other important things. Consider, for example, new homes, nature, agriculture or windmills. Exactly how much space defense needs is not yet clear.
“The impact on Brabant is great,” said D66 Staten member Floris Strak. “We also think we should make our contribution, but that does have consequences.” Among other things, D66 wants the loss of nature and space to expel nitrogen is compensated.
PvdA leader Ward Deckers sees it as follows: “Defense to Defense is when paying your insurance is not fun, but we don’t have to be so naive that we don’t do it.” Together with GroenLinks, the PvdA wants the increase in noise nuisance to be compensated. “Where possible with measures that reduce nuisance, but if necessary with financial compensation.”
‘Brabant plays a major role in Defense’
The CDA, local Brabant and Volts are also proponents, but made it clear that the Ministry of Defense should put something against its question of space. “We recognize the need. Brabant has been playing a major role in defense for a long time, but we cannot be the final piece of spatial tasks,” argued Noa Brok of the CDA.
“Investing in Defense is not a non -binding choice,” says Davy Jansen (Local Brabant). “The use of extra space is not without consequences. The pressure is as large. As a province, we have to make clear where our limits are.”
Volt party chairman Inge Vossen sees opportunities. According to Vossen, Defense can, for example, inspect dikes with drones and help with the search for missing people. Exercise grounds can also be used for disaster exercises.
The SP is the only party to be opposed to the expansion plans. “We are not pacifists or communists,” said States member Jente van Eck. “But we are already doing enough for Defense in Brabant. The plans require a lot of space that we need to solve other problems.”
Sweet at the acid
The message of Brabant politics seems clear: Defense is welcome, but Brabant must also be able to continue to do other things. In short, there must be sweet with the acid. The college also sees that. ‘Not everything is possible everywhere’ is therefore the message of Brabant to the Ministry of Defense, emphasized the Deputy of Space Wilma Dirken (VVD).
“The Ministry of Defense is part of Brabant, but we have clearly informed the Ministry of Defense that not everything is possible in Brabant,” Dirken said Friday. According to her, the distribution of sweet and acid is getting better. “But we remain vigilant. The interests of national security and those of the millions of people and animals Brabant must stay in balance.”