The project to make the shrinking and aging Frisian village of Holwert attractive again is not over for the time being. The provincial government had doubts about the economic feasibility of the plan to transform Holwert into ‘Holwerd aan Zee’, but during the Frisian Provincial Assembly On Wednesday, a majority voted – against the advice of the provincial council – in favor of further elaboration of the plan. 1.2 million euros will be made available for this purpose.
Holwert has about 1,600 inhabitants left, and some of them are worried about that. The ‘Holwerd aan Zee’ project aims to change that. A hole in the dike should bring the water from the Wadden Sea to the village, in order to attract more tourists. “If we do nothing, this will become a ghost town,” said one of the initiators NRC. “Only recreation and tourism can save this village.”
In recent years, research has been carried out into the feasibility and expected effects of the plan. According to the Frisian States, this shows that ‘positive effects can be expected in the region along the Wadden coast’ in terms of quality of life, economy and climate.
Also read this report: The Wadden Sea can find its way to ‘ghost village’ Holwert through a hole in the dike