Despite safety concerns, Haaksbergen has still given permission for the construction of eight salt extraction locations. The municipal council of the Overijssel municipality determined this in a vote on Wednesday, reports, among others, RTV Oost. The decision puts an end to a long period of political disagreement in the municipality. Local residents fear damage to their homes due to the planned drilling activities.
The decision gives salt company Nobian the green light to extract 14.5 tons of salt in the north of Haaksbergen over the next thirty years. The local party Nieuw Haaksbergen withdrew its objections to the new salt extraction locations, making a political breakthrough possible. Certain guarantees that possible damage would be prevented and would be compensated if necessary made the party agree. However, Nieuw Haaksbergen retains reservations about possible subsidence. VVD and CDA did vote against. Both parties do not believe that salt mining can take place without risks.
Nobian has been hoping to build eight drilling locations for years, but has not yet received permission due to safety concerns, among other things. According to Wesley Uuldriks, party leader for Nieuw Haaksbergen, expectations have been raised at the salt company over the past ten years that “can no longer be reversed,” writes the ANP news agency.