Local politics in Hoogeveen are unanimous: a new residential area must be built. Only the location to be built south of the A37 is still subject to some discussion within the municipal council.
A number of factions mention a livestock farm that could possibly throw a spanner in the works. Hoogeveen would like to start with 500 homes between the Alteveer road and Het Oosterveld. The company is located in that area.
The amount of odor emanating from a farm may (partly) prevent parties from building houses in the area. The emissions might not be good for the environment.
The municipality does not yet have the land, but wants to be the first to buy it with the pre-emptive right when it comes on the market. Politicians debated this on Thursday evening, they will ultimately have to give permission for the plan.
Koen Meesters of the Christian Union, for example, thinks it is special that the municipality has not taken livestock farming into account. He pulled up a photo with a circle showing the scent distribution in the area. “A big mistake. Doesn’t this influence the choice we make for a location?”
The SP, SGP, VVD and CDA, among others, supported those words. They would prefer to see construction start on the west side of the Alteveer near the Trekgatenweg. According to CDA member Bert Otten, there is already a large landowner ready there who would like to build.
The municipality also wants to build houses at that location, but it is not preferable to start there. Hoogeveen wants to further expand the land there at a later date with a maximum of 1,000 homes.
Councilor Niek Wind (Municipal Interests) responded to the situation surrounding livestock farming. According to him, the municipality will add the odor map to its own file. There will also be field studies that should provide a better picture of odor nuisance.
“You can’t measure that from behind a desk,” he says. “Then it will also become clear what impact it has on housing construction and how many houses can actually be built. Or not.”
Wind states that housing construction within an odor zone is not possible. “There may be other options. There are many more things to consider when building a residential area. One does not exclude the other.”
Aron Sieders of Gemeentebelangen said that investigations into both areas must continue. “We need to build homes, if you exclude one area you may end up empty-handed at the end of the day.” The VVD, GroenLinks and D66 agreed.
The majority would also like to see some additional tightening of the pre-emptive right. “If research shows that certain grounds are not necessary, remove the pre-emptive right as quickly as possible,” said Dirk Schipper of the SGP.
Other parties agreed, they believe it is a drastic measure for farmers and residents in the area. “But don’t create expectations that we cannot fulfill,” said D66 member Johannes Prakken.
Councilor Derk Reneman said he has the same opinion and hopes to be able to provide clarity to as many landowners as possible. “It is still early, there are still so many steps to be taken. But as soon as we get the chance, we will of course inform you as soon as possible.”
The subject is of concern among farmers and residents in the area. Entrepreneurs say they are at a standstill and can no longer invest in their company due to the municipality’s plans. Residents fear they will lose their peace if a new residential area is built.
The municipal council will vote on the pre-emptive right on December 18.