The possible demolition of a characteristic building built in 1840 in Kessel is ‘an attack on Limburg’s past’.
That is what the Limburg committee of Erfgoedvereniging Heemschut writes in a letter to the mayor and aldermen of Peel en Maas. The letter is in the hands of L1. The association is the largest and one of the oldest private associations for the protection of cultural monuments.
‘Living, living and taking care of each other’
A group of residents of Kessel, united in Stichting Onze Toekomst (SOT), wants to build an apartment complex of 13.5 meters high on Veersepad 13. A group of 25 residents, divided over thirteen apartments, will live there together and take care of each other. The current building has to be demolished.
And that is a thorn in the side of a lot of Kesselnaren. They are sympathetic to the plan, but find the location unsuitable. Opponents want the building to be preserved and the street to retain its characteristic character. This is apparent from, among other things, the 308 objections that have been submitted.
Also read: Possible demolition of characteristic Kessel building causes unrest
‘Castle settlement’
The heritage association states in the letter that the building is an inseparable part of the image-defining village and riverbank view, the building offers a direct view of the Maas. “The high bank has a view of tall trees and shows a beautiful ensemble of a medieval castle and the church. This is a typical ‘castle settlement’. To preserve this historic characteristic village view, it is not appropriate to have a high striking to create an apartment complex. Certainly not with a view of the Maas. Heemschut sees the development as an attack on Limburg’s past.”
Image quality requirements
“The colossal dimensions and height of such a building mass are in conflict with the image quality requirements that apply to the Maas bank in Kessel. The damage that it would cause to the village image is regrettable and cannot be repaired”, according to the newspaper. letter. The committee asks the city council to vote against the amendment to the zoning plan.
The findings of the Heritage Association do not correspond with the village architect. He concluded at an earlier stage that the construction meets the requirements.
Resistance
In a committee meeting on February 8, twelve speakers came forward, eleven of whom were opponents. A record number. Never before have so many people spoken about one subject in Peel en Maas. However, the resistance does not prevent the council from submitting the plans to the council. He will vote on the plan on February 22. It remains to be seen to what extent the considerations of the heritage association are taken into account. Furthermore, opponents can still appeal afterwards. A building permit must also be issued.
Own direction
The expectation is that the city council will vote for an amendment to the zoning plan and the plans will therefore take a bird’s eye view. Alderman Rob Wanten hopes that the plans will go ahead. He calls it ‘a great initiative in which people want to keep control over their own lives’.