The resistance against the AZC plans of the municipality of Velsen in Santpoort-Zuid continues. A group of residents of the village examined the two proposed locations and studied all kinds of rules from the municipality, the province and the COA. Their conclusion: the locations, Elta and Handgraaf, are unsuitable for asylum reception. The municipality says it is still conducting its own investigation into the locations.
The municipality of Velsen wants an AZC (asylum seeker center) for ‘at least 200 people‘ have in the municipality. Velsen will soon meet the requirements Distribution Act yet to be adopted. If that law is passed, all municipalities in the Netherlands will have to receive asylum seekers.
After a ‘location exploration‘ from the municipality of all kinds of possible reception locations throughout the municipality of Velsen, the pieces of land Elta and Handgraaf in Santpoort-Zuid emerged as the best option.
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But according to many residents of Santpoort-Zuid, there is a lot to say about the way the municipality of Velsen has proceeded. There was already two weeks ago a protest of about a hundred people.
Are the Elta and Handgraaf suitable?
That protest continued this week. The residents’ interest group, Stichting Samen Santpoort-Zuid (SSSZ), founded in 2023, has now taken up the challenge and conducted an investigation. They call it a ‘fact document’. They sent it to both the municipality of Velsen and the province.
The approach of the municipality’s ‘exploration’ and SSSZ’s ‘fact document’ differs considerably: the municipality looked for an AZC location in Velsen with the fewest negatives, and then tried to remove or mitigate them.
SSSZ, on the other hand, has assessed in its ‘fact document’ how well an AZC of at least 200 people fits on the Elta or Handgraaf.
The conclusions of the municipality and the foundation are consistent: the municipality believes Handgraaf and Elta would be best suited for shelter in Velsen; SSSZ sees such a (large) AZC is not located in those places. ‘The municipality’s assessment of “a promising location” was premature’, it can be read.
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Why?
According to the SSSZ study with 9 points of interest, Elta and Handgraaf, for example, are located in a neighborhood with 74 percent social housing. An earlier plan to build houses on Handgraaf was scrapped due to accessibility. The municipality itself has also established that the district is experiencing ‘significant flooding’ due to its location.
In addition, the roads to and from the locations are narrow, do not have separate cycle paths and have limited access to heavy traffic. It is also located in a Special Provincial Landscape (BPL) with a protected status. This cannot simply be built on, writes SSSZ.
A spokesperson for the province also acknowledges this. “The province has so far been reluctant to allow developments in BPL. If the municipality can demonstrate that an inner-city location or a location in a rural area is not possible, an exemption can be requested from the province. There are conditions, such as the temporary nature of 10 years and the location must be restored to its original state.”
Shelter crisis
The SSSZ also refers to the rules of the COA: both Handgraaf and the Elta do not comply with COA’s basic requirements for locations and terrains. But according to the COA itself, there is room for improvement.
A spokesperson: “Don’t forget: we are in a reception crisis. We interpret these basic requirements flexibly, of course taking into account the requirements of quality of life and (technical) safety: after all, permits must be granted and we will only receive them if the law is complied with. .”
Residents of Santpoort-Zuid involved
Although Velsen continues to focus on an AZC in Santpoort-Zuid, the municipality confirms that there are still wrinkles to be ironed out. “The first step is now a spatial and environmental study into the possibility of using the Elta or Handgraaf locations for the reception of asylum seekers,” a spokesperson said.
She continues: “Part of this research is the impact on the living environment of residents. We also involve the residents of Santpoort-Zuid in this. We also continue discussions with the province about the possibilities for building in the protected area.”
A full substantive response from the municipality will follow. Now it’s Christmas recess.