Two supermarkets possible on PBH Zuidlaren site: entrepreneurs happy, sounding board group disappointed

There is room for two supermarkets at the front of the Prins Bernardhoeveterrein in Zuidlaren. This has emerged from a ‘volume study’ into the much-discussed area in Zuidlaren. The plans will be presented to the Tynaarlo city council on 17 January.

Alderman Jurryt Vellinga (Leefbaar Tynaarlo) therefore does not want to reveal too much about the results of this volume study (an investigation into what does and does not fit on the PBH site, ed.). But it turned out that there is room for two supermarkets, leaked out earlier. “What that will look like architecturally has not yet been decided. That will only happen later. We will also involve the residents in that.”

In recent months, the municipality of Tynaarlo has mainly discussed the PBH site with United Ondernemend Zuidlaren (VOZ). There has been a lot of consultation in the past, says Vellinga. “We asked all residents what they think is important and how they envision the PBH site. After the presentation of the plans, we also want to hear from many people what they think of it.”

The Sounding Board Group that was set up in 2012 has not yet been discussed. “We did not find it useful to sit down with the Sounding Board Group at the front. That does not mean that we do not want to hear their opinion, on the contrary. We hope that they will think along again in the near future. But we have said: you will be told at the same time as all residents how the plans stand.”

This does not apply to the VOZ. The entrepreneurs have been around the table with the municipality since the summer. “The VOZ plays a different role than the Klankbordgroep, that’s right. The VOZ has a clear vision about how to connect the shopping ribbon with the PBH site,” says Vellinga. “You need the entrepreneurs to have a liveable Zuidlaren.”

Vellinga emphasizes once again that the ‘ordinary residents’ will also be discussed. “What we are presenting to the council on the 17th is really a volume study. What can be done on the site? What exactly will it all look like, residents still have enough to say about that. And the plan that we are presenting is also “Not definitive, that can be worked on. But I do want to speed up now. I’m not going to make another plan. I am therefore hopeful that many people will say: it is starting to look like it, we can continue with this.”

Henk Munting of the Klankbordgroep is not convinced. “We are very dissatisfied with the way the municipality is treating us,” he says. “While they ignore us, there is plenty of talk with VOZ. I told the alderman that he measures with double standards.”

René Kuipers, chairman of the VOZ, is in turn satisfied. “I think we serve the broadest interest with this plan,” he says. “We look at it very positively. Of course we look at the plans from an economic point of view, but we also look at opportunities for culture, housing and historical sight lines. All those points are reflected in the plan.”

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