In that letter to the landowners, Midden-Drenthe makes it clear that they want to apply the Municipal Preferential Rights Act (Wvg) for the areas. The pre-emptive right is established on Alting and Smalbroek. This means that if an owner wants to sell land or rights, he is obliged to first offer them to the municipality. The municipality then has the right to accept a purchase proposal.
“That is also the reason for us that we first attributed the landowners and not all residents,” says councilor Rieja Raven. In other municipalities, where everyone was informed about the plans at an early stage, things have sometimes gone wrong. “Then you see that investors or project developers quickly buy up the land before the pre-emptive rights have expired. It is a shame that it had to be done this way, but it is the best way. Also to realize affordable housing as a municipality.”
The council must decide later this year whether the law can be applied to both locations. Landowners are not obliged to sell the land to the municipality. “It’s completely voluntary.” Broek doubts that. “How voluntary is voluntary in the end? I have yet to see.”
The councilor understands the residents’ concerns, but says that many homes will have to be built in the coming years. “If you live there quietly now, then I understand that the news is shocking to you. However, it is true that we will have to do a lot of construction in the coming years,” Raven continues.
Yet she states that the race is not over yet. “If the council agrees to establish the pre-emptive right on Alting and Smalbroek, we will then have to find out whether the housing plans are feasible and can be implemented.” The residents of Alting have indicated that they will express their concerns tonight during the council meeting in Midden-Drenthe.”