The Council of State sees no urgent reason to halt the work on expanding the water storage in De Onlanden between Peize and Peizermade. That is why the objections of a resident of Peize and a livestock farmer from Roderwolde are being set aside for the time being.
This is evident from an emergency ruling by the highest administrative court in the Netherlands. With this ruling, the Noorderzijlvest Water Board can continue with the work in and around the De Onlanden water storage area, which can prevent major flooding in the region during heavy rainfall.
The water board, the province of Drenthe and the municipality of Noordenveld want to more than double the capacity of the water storage from 5.2 million cubic meters of water to 12.7 million cubic meters.
The water board is already busy constructing two weirs and renovating a third weir. The retaining dikes will also be raised. The water board hopes to complete the water storage project next year.
In the ruling, the Council notes that the livestock farmer has no land in the water storage area. He does have land right next to the water storage area. But studies show that his pastures will not suffer an unacceptable disadvantage from the water storage project.
Other research shows that he does not have to fear an increase in animal diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and midges, such as the bluetongue virus.
As for the resident of Peize, he has no problem with the water storage project itself, but only with its implementation. The judge believes that these are not all reasons to impose a construction stop.
Also because the prevention of flooding in the region serves a great public interest. A substantive case and final judgment will follow later this year.
