World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Dispute over 10 starter homes raises tensions in Oldeberkoop
An older couple is challenging plans for 10 starter homes in Oldeberkoop, a village in the Dutch province of Friesland.
The homes are part of a project in which future residents develop their own houses, giving them more say and potentially lowering costs.
The legal procedures have delayed construction, leaving 10 young people waiting for homes for months.
Over the weekend, the couple’s windows were smashed and their car was damaged; the person responsible is not identified.
The town’s mayor condemned the damage and fears tensions could rise further.
He has spoken with the couple and plans to attend a village meeting where the dispute will be discussed.
The mayor hopes the parties can talk and find a way forward, while a project organizer says he hopes construction can begin once there is clarity.
Tensions have risen in Oldeberkoop, Friesland, over plans for a new neighbourhood with 10 starter homes.
An older couple is using legal procedures to oppose the construction, leaving 10 young people uncertain about when they can move into homes.
Over the weekend before the reports, the couple’s home windows were smashed and their car was damaged.
The mayor condemned the violence and said he hoped the dispute could still be resolved.
The couple declined to explain their objection to the project to Omrop Fryslân.
- Who
- An older couple opposes the project, while 10 young people are waiting for the homes. Mayor Jack Werkman is monitoring the situation.
- What
- Legal procedures opposing a planned neighbourhood have delayed construction. The couple’s home windows were smashed and their car was damaged.
- When
- The dispute has been ongoing for some time. The damage was reported as happening over the weekend before the 8 October article.
- Where
- Oldeberkoop, in Friesland, in the municipality of Ooststellingwerf.
- Why
- The couple’s reasons for objecting were not stated. The dispute concerns plans for 10 starter homes.
The older couple
The young people waiting for homes
Project objections
The older couple
The couple is challenging construction through legal procedures; its reasons were not stated.
The young people waiting for homes
They are hoping to move into the planned homes and want construction to proceed.
Impact of the dispute
The older couple
The couple did not give Omrop Fryslân a substantive comment on its objection.
The young people waiting for homes
The delays have left 10 young people uncertain, and one project initiator said construction could not begin while procedures continued.
Legal procedures opposing the neighbourhood project have delayed plans for the homes.
The project initiator said construction had been due to start, but procedures meant it could not begin.
The older couple’s home windows were smashed and their car was damaged.
Omrop Fryslân reported on the dispute and said the mayor would attend a local general meeting that evening.
Hart van Nederland reported that the mayor feared the unrest could worsen.
- Homes planned
- 10 starter homes
- People waiting
- 10 young people
- Project type
- CPO, in which future residents develop their homes together
- Location
- Oldeberkoop, Friesland
- Mayor
- Jack Werkman, Ooststellingwerf
- Reported damage
- The couple’s home windows were smashed and their car was damaged
3 sources
What people are saying
We had wanted to start after the construction holiday, but because of all the procedures that keep going, we still cannot begin.
I am now living with my girlfriend and our baby in a chalet. If this process continues like this, we will be there for a very long time. It is not an ideal situation for the baby.
I absolutely do not approve of this violence. This is never the solution.
Violence is never the solution, but I understand that emotions can run high and that this then happens.