Many residents and entrepreneurs are annoyed that they were involved in the plans so late and that they have little say. “So everything is already done,” said a resident. “We suddenly receive a letter in the mail with extensive drawings. It really looks like the municipality and Actium have been working on this for much longer.”
Hoogeveen made an attempt to remove the distrust. “We only had the first consultation with the councilor about this in June 2023.” Another resident indicated that this is striking, because greenery had already been removed from the intended construction site and small wooden posts had been driven into the ground. The land registry uses these posts to visualize property boundaries.
Another entrepreneur urges the municipality and Actium to provide better and clearer information. At the previous residents’ meeting it was said that people will stay in the flexible housing temporarily, approximately 2.5 years, to move on to another home. Now that is no longer the case. The intention is that they will live there longer.
Another resident at the Groene Dijk emphasizes that she also sees advantages. She walks there every evening with her dog and it is a ‘dark corner’. She also thinks it is important that no one is excluded and everyone deserves a second chance. Also ex-addicts, or ex-convicts.
The Assen municipal council has yet to decide whether the flex housing will be built, but Alderman Staal indicated that the council will soon submit the environmental permit for the construction. The current zoning plan does not allow these building plans, which means that a change still needs to be made. An objection can be raised against this. Construction is expected to start in the second half of next year.