The first of 270 Ukrainian refugees in Stede Broec, Enkhuizen and Drechterland will arrive in Hoogkarspel before the end of June. The first residential units have been installed there and preparations for setting up the ice rink are starting in Enkhuizen. With the arrival of these two locations, the reception location at the Voetakkers in Lutjebroek is ‘not necessary’ for the time being.
In Lutjebroek and Enkhuizen there is resistance from local residents, in Hoogkarspel the emergency housing is going well. On the large site – where gardening company Jos Vriend was until recently – soil has now been poured and a sewerage system has been installed.
Last week, 22 residential units were installed, where the first group of Ukrainians can already go at the end of June. A total of four residential blocks will be placed, good for 120 refugees. “Each residential block creates space for about 30 Ukrainians. From the end of June, an additional residential block will be added every week.”
The ice rink in Enkhuizen also has to suffer. And that is remarkable, given the earlier concerns from the environment. 131 local residents submitted a signature. “The ground is slightly lower there and it is between two residential areas. Everything that happens there reverberates through the entire neighborhood,” a local resident said last week. yet know. He has little confidence that the municipality will restore everything after a year. “If they’re going to do this, really tough agreements are needed.”
unrest
On June 9, another information meeting held, where tempers sometimes ran high. For example, local residents pointed to more suitable reception locations such as the Flosbeugel or camping De Vest. They seemed too small or were already intended for tiny houses.
Mayor Eduard van Zuijlen did promise to look at other locations. “In the days that followed, Van Zuijlen called several companies that have vacant buildings or have plots of land. However, they have indicated that these are not suitable, so that we are forced to fall back on the ice rink”, says a spokesperson to NH News. Local residents were informed last Friday.
Site preparation
Despite the resistance, the signature campaign and discussion with the mayor, the site – which is still soggy at the moment – is still being converted into a real reception location. There will be five residential blocks, which will provide space for a total of 150 refugees. “Preparations for setting up the ice rink will start this week. In the coming weeks, the location will be prepared for construction and facilities such as water and electricity will be installed.”
Because of the delivery problems of grid operator Liander, the electricity is initially supplied via generators.
The residential units are in principle rented for one year. If the war in Ukraine lasts longer, it is possible to expand the number of residential blocks with a maximum of one block for 30 people in Hoogkarspel and a maximum of two blocks in Enkhuizen. If the emergency shelter is no longer needed, both locations will be restored to their original state, a spokesperson said.