More than 200 interested parties have registered for the Hofwonen project in Zuidwolde. The number exceeds the wildest expectations. A total of 20 homes are planned, three of which have already been allocated to the board members. To further enrich the plan, the board has purchased a nine hectare plot of forest.
After the location of the Hofwonen was recently announced – a plot on the corner of Westerveldseweg – Westerveldpad, near the Hardlooplaantje – a stream of registrations came in. “But we have no idea where they all come from,” says chairman Bert Snippe. “This is done via our website, but with such a large number it may become tight during our information evening for the people who have registered,” Snippe suspects.
There is a good chance that many interested parties will ultimately be disappointed. Residents of Zuidwolde have priority anyway, if there are still plots, other Wolden residents can join and at the end it is the turn of people from outside. The order was a condition from the municipality.
Making dream possible
Hofwonen was able to reach an agreement with the landowner and the municipality was readily sympathetic to the site. Two years ago, the group of residents started looking for a suitable plot around Zuidwolde to make their dream possible: living together with like-minded people over 55, doing (fun) things together and helping each other where possible. In an ‘ordinary’ house, which is equipped with all modern conveniences. Immediately after the first publication in this newspaper, other candidates came forward.
For Bert Snippe and his partner Inge van Rijssen, Gerrie and Meinie de Lange and Bert and Fennie Veuger, the dot on the horizon is now a lot closer. B+O architects’ preliminary plan for this plot concerns eleven terraced terraced houses, nine detached houses and a joint building. All homes will be one storey high, so there will be no floors; only a partial attic).
A path and a bench
The plot of land could be purchased with the help of real estate agent Schelhaas after looking at ten locations over the past two years. The purchase of the forest plot followed later. “We are going to renovate that and we want to create a path and a bench there. It is also intended for the social aspect,” says Inge van Rijssen. “We want to maintain it all ourselves. Landschapsbeheer Drenthe advises us on this, because we want to make it maintenance-friendly,” Snippe adds.
Hofwonen Zuidwolde is a CPO, a Collective Private Commissioning Company, in which people develop the plan entirely themselves. The exterior of the homes is fixed, but otherwise buyers can customize the interior as they wish. “As far as building materials are concerned, there are options, such as an exterior wall of stone or wood, sliding windows and the layout, but we are bound by the building code,” Snippe emphasizes.
Four age categories
“The homes could not be more expensive than 405,000 euros and we are turning them into a VVE, an association of owners. Then the residents are relieved of their worries, because the VVE board takes care of matters such as maintenance,” Snippe explains. That is nice for the residents, who are not only composed of people over 70. An equal division has been chosen into four age categories: 55 to 60 years, 60 to 65 years, 65 to 70 years and 70 years and older.
“That diversity in ages is important, because respectability is of paramount importance to us. People stay fit longer, but you have to be able to help each other. We notice that people find that very important. There are even initiatives elsewhere to lower the age limit,” says Van Rijssen. Snippe nods: “There is already an initiative in Zwolle with 45 years as the lower limit.”
The expected pleasant side effect of a project like this is that there will be a flow of traffic in Zuidwolde. “That is also the municipality’s policy, so that various groups of residents can move on again, because twenty homes will soon be available. That is also good for young people, because you need them to keep all facilities up to standard,” Van Rijssen concludes. If the entire procedure goes according to plan, the shovel can be broken in a year’s time.