About 22 local residents from Hoogwoud, who live at the intended reception location at De Weyver sports park, are worried. They fear nuisance and an impact on the quality of life in the village. Therefore, they decide to climb into the pen. “We have little left of confidence in the municipality.”
This is evident from a protest letter expressing their concerns, which was signed by about 22 local residents. They want the intended shelter location on a dog walking field at De Weyver sports park to be removed from the list and the preparations to be ‘stopped immediately’.
The College of Opmeer wants to do that set up an extra reception location in the short term, intended for so-called ‘attention groups’ such as emergency seekers, labor migrants and status holders. According to Alderman Herman ter Veen, this is not limited to these groups alone. “We also need homes for young people and starters in the short term,” he says. There is talk of flexible homes, which would remain in place for 10 years.
Multiple locations are being investigated
The municipality has several locations in its sights, such as the ice rink, camper pitches at De Wijzend and ‘t Bon at the fire station. Nevertheless, the location near the sports park is the most promising.
This is because the ‘very fast construction’ of the reception location for Ukrainian refugees is perceived as positive. The site also offers enough space for further expansion.
Location previously disapproved
But the feeling prevails among the local residents that the plan is being pushed through without consultation. “We will fight this plan with all available means,” they write. According to them, the intended location is not suitable.
They explain why again. For example, the dog walking field, which is used every year by the Opmeer Agricultural Show, has also been rejected by the municipality in the past. “The location is labeled by the Board as not being an option, due to the lack of the necessary infrastructure and the costs associated with a possible realization.”
They also advocate spreading the focus groups across the village centers. “A concentration of vulnerable target groups in one location is not conducive to integration and social development.”
Varying reactions
Dog lovers, whom NH encounters on the dog walking field, also express their concerns. They regret the possible arrival of a reception location, if the green field would disappear. “There’s so little left,” says a gentleman. Another: “I think it’s a nicely fenced off field. They come from far and wide to walk their dogs here. I’m very sorry.”
A man walking down the street with his dog understands that shelter is needed. He thinks the small-scale shelter for Ukrainians, opposite the dog walking field, is a “nice solution”. Still, he doesn’t know what’s coming to the dog-walking field. “I am very curious about that.”
Because the location that the municipality of Opmeer currently has in mind is not unknown. Directly opposite, next to Jos Koelemeijer’s swimming school, about 20 refugees from Ukraine are currently being accommodated in temporary housing units.
Trust little about it
But there, too, the municipality has failed. It leaves a nasty aftertaste. “We are extremely disappointed in the actions of the municipality when it comes to communicating with local residents. We have little left of confidence in the municipality,” they write. “The benevolence we showed last year, in our opinion, is being used to realize a plan with which we do not agree.”
Response of the municipality of Opmeer:
“There is no question of a decision taken. Neither of a plan or any intention whatsoever. During an imaging meeting on February 23, it was only announced that the municipality will investigate whether the location at De Weyver offers possibilities for housing.
We see it as our social responsibility to provide housing for a broad group of home seekers who belong to the focus groups, including young people who want to start on the housing market. We will actively inform you about this.”