They were diametrically opposed to each other for months: the municipality of Opmeer and a group of Hoogwouders. When the municipality designated the dog walking field at De Weyver sports park as a permanent residential area, tensions ran high. The fact that the municipal course has now changed is to the satisfaction of local residents. “It’s encouraging.”
Plans for the arrival of a residential area for so-called ‘attention groups’, young people and starters from their own municipality, caused quite a stir. The municipality received a letter of protest twice. There was also a banner on display ‘Participation? What is that?!’
Calm now seems to have returned, now that the banner has been removed. Inquiries show that the municipality has taken a different course. At the beginning of September, a discussion took place with a delegation from De Fuik (a street adjacent to the dog walking field, ed.), mayor Gerard van den Hengel and alderman Herman ter Veen. “We had a good conversation, the municipality’s change of course took us by surprise,” a representative of De Fuik told NH. “It’s encouraging, the tone has already improved a lot. The location is not yet 100 percent finalized, we may still suggest alternative locations.”
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For example, the Crisis and Recovery Act is being abandoned, because the residential area with 50 to 60 prefab homes will become permanent and not temporary. Otherwise it is not attractive for project developers to invest in it. “We also refrain from housing migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees. They usually stay temporarily in the Netherlands,” said councilor Herman ter Veen.
Young people and starters
Who are the homes intended for? “We still have to determine that,” Ter Veen emphasizes. The municipality’s starting point is that 50 percent of the homes are intended for young people and starters from their own municipality. “We also have a task to house status holders. This varies from year to year. We distribute them throughout Opmeer. So there will also be a few at that location, but not all. We also have to see how many homes can be made available. come for urgent seekers.”
An information meeting will follow on Monday, October 2, where local residents of De Fuik, Koningspade and Charles van der Nootstraat will be updated. In mid-October they can contribute ideas about the design of the residential area. “A new location is being sought for the dog walking field, in consultation with the dog owners. The Agricultural Show is also welcome to attend.”