Progressive Westerveld (PW) initially emphasizes the unanimity on the theme. “This is not necessarily a subject on which we disagree, on the contrary,” says Michiel van de Kasteelen. Like DSW, he wants to see what residents themselves come up with. But that alone is not enough, he says. “The municipality must take action. It is a municipal task to tackle this. We therefore agree with an active land policy.”
Moreover, the leader of Progressive Westerveld points to the ‘striking’ position of the VVD, which argues in favor of taking control as a municipality. “It’s funny that the VVD has left market forces,” he sneezes. Van de Kasteelen also has a message for the current council in Westerveld. “That has left opportunities for realizing breakthroughs.”
‘Director role for municipality’
In addition to the VVD and Progressive Westerveld, the PvdA also sees benefit in buying up land by the municipality. “Something has to be done, because that has been too little in the past eight years. We have to take on the directing role much more and work together with the residents,” reports Jan Puper. “And we must stop building only owner-occupied houses, because there is such a harrowing shortage of social rent.”
In addition, Puper points to the occupation of recreation parks in the municipality. According to him, it concerns 650 residents ‘who have nowhere to go’. As far as the PvdA is concerned, these people should be allowed to continue living there, because that solves part of the housing shortage problem, says Puper. “You have to apply customization in the dire cases. Don’t just put people on the street, but ensure that there is an alternative.”
“But recreational parks are for recreation, and if people start living there permanently, then that entire recreational value will lapse,” VVD member Masselink is against. “It’s time to set limits.”
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