There is no other option, the monumental oak along the Albartsweg in Hollandscheveld has to make way. The municipality of Hoogeveen said this in a response to the SP and GroenLinks who asked questions about the felling of the tree. The oak with a protected status is currently located on the Riegmeer business park and must make way for an electricity station. Another location is not an option.
The municipality’s own Green department has indicated that cutting down the tree is not wise. The oak is still healthy. Both factions wonder why Hoogeveen ignores this advice. A response from the municipality shows that it is the only suitable place for the arrival of an electricity station. Large cable ducts are needed and that is only possible there.
The factions also wonder whether other places on the business park could not be used for the arrival of the electricity station. But that is also not possible. The site in the middle of Riegmeer is not an option, says the council. The east side, where dairy manufacturer FAGE wants to build a factory, is also not suitable.
Hoogeveen cites the newly planted trees along the Hollandschedijk as the main reason. They would have to give way again when cable ducts are installed. Replanting them afterwards is not possible. Deep-rooted trees may not be placed on top of the cable ducts.
The oak, which is about twenty meters high, is therefore in a difficult place. Tennet and Rendo want to build an electricity station there. This is necessary if new companies want to establish themselves on the site in the future. Sustainability also plays an important role. With the arrival of such a station, the municipality is aiming for more connection of, for example, solar panels. This should contribute to the energy transition.
Both factions wonder whether the tree can possibly be moved. That option is just not chosen. It turns out to be a complicated operation. “Moving such a tree is expected to cost between 20,000 and 50,000 euros, with an extremely uncertain outcome because the chance that a tree of this size that is replanted will still die is considerable,” the council writes.
For the rest, there was still criticism of not properly involving residents of Hoogeveen in the process. But the council says that in the past there has been enough consultation with the surrounding area and residents during the preparation of the plans for the Riegmeer business park.
During those conversations it was explained that not all trees and shrubs can be preserved. The municipality itself says that they invest a lot of time and energy in preserving pieces of greenery. For example, trees are planted in other places on the site and the presence of the badger is taken into account.
An example cited is the preservation of a forest along Albartsweg. At first it was supposed to be cut down, but that didn’t happen in the end. Since that site cannot be issued, the municipality says it is missing out on 1.5 million euros.
Members of GroenLinks have now started a petition to save the pedunculate oak. It has now been signed more than 900 times. The only question is whether it will change anything. The municipality of Hoogeveen has now received a felling permit for the tree. People can object for another six weeks. If not, the tree will disappear.