When will the municipality of Westerveld make haste with the housing plans? Political parties and Dorpsbelangen Dwingeloo wonder that. They want to see movement quickly and send a letter to the council.
A plan for a hundred homes on the Valderse lll location between the industrial estate and the Lheeweg has been on hold for years. The project is concrete: the land has been purchased and the signature of the project developer and the village are underneath it. But the permission of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen is awaited.
“It is annoying that there is no movement,” says Jan Bloemerts of Dorpsbelangen Dwingeloo. “The principle proposal of the design was approved 1.5 years ago. Nothing stood in our way and then it suddenly stopped. It is impossible to explain that it has been running for 10 years.”
The municipality of Westerveld is working on the implementation of several housing plans in the municipality. Additional budget has been allocated for this. According to the municipality, it is true that the first proposal was already submitted in 2021, but things have changed since then.
“About four months ago, in October 2022, the project developer submitted an amended zoning plan to us,” the municipality writes. “The plan has been expanded from 65 to 105 homes. This plan must be re-tested on all components (including infrastructure and nitrogen).” So that takes time.
As in many other places, the need for housing in Dwingeloo is high. According to Bloemerts, young people are leaving because other municipalities have a larger offer or more attractive prices. “In Smilde you pay 60,000 euros less for the same type of home,” says Bloemerts. “Dwingeloo is simply a popular place to live.”
There are four places in Dwingeloo where expansion is possible. In one of those places it succeeded. “But the price was so high that it was mainly bought by people from outside.”
This will be different with the Valderse III project. According to Bloemerts, this project is designed for starters and includes micro homes. It is also at a more advanced stage than other projects in the municipality. “This plan should not prevent other plans from happening, but this is low-hanging fruit. Pick it, otherwise you will be another year further.”
Political parties from the municipal council also want to hear more about the developments and the steps the municipality is taking in the short term. The PvdA, VVD and Gemeentebelangen note that they are receiving signals that insufficient cooperation is being provided from the municipality to new construction or renovation plans.
They propose to prioritize the existing and upcoming multiple housing plans. To this end, they want enough civil servants to be released so that new plans can be drawn up this year.