The area with abandoned bunkers at Formerum aan Zee is intended for nature. The majority of the municipal council agrees with the mayor and aldermen of Terschelling that the area should remain accessible.
Various parties do believe that the owner of the site must provide a (socially) safe environment. The area is becoming impoverished and there is a nuisance from loitering youth, said Jan Cees Smit (Local Interest) on Wednesday evening.
“The entire area has been neglected for years,” acknowledged councilor Gea van Essen. “I think the new owner should throw sand over it, if necessary. Then the youth can dig again to get a place. When the bunkers are filled with sand, social safety is immediately improved.”
Project developer Erwin Miedema is currently rebuilding the apartment hotel ‘t Punthoofd in Formerum aan Zee. Adjacent, he owns the area with the Margotstelling, which was part of the Atlantic Wall during the Second World War. Within it, he wanted, among other things, to have about ten bunkers dug out and turned into recreational accommodations. Five bunkers would be renovated and opened to the public.
Gossen Bos (Samen Terschelling) believes that the site should remain as accessible as possible. “Otherwise interest will decrease and the cultural-historical value will decline. When my grandchildren are on holiday, the first thing they say is: ‘Grandpa, when are we going to the bunkers?’ The bunkers of Formerum belong to Terschelling.”