The permit comes into effect on Friday and is valid until 8 February 2039 at the latest. The municipality actually wanted to take its time in extending the permit, first initiating a consultation procedure and involving the municipal council. But the Council of State recently ruled that the municipality must make a decision before the current permit expires on 1 July.
The municipality wanted to wait until December, but the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) initiated proceedings before the Den Bosch court to force the municipality to decide more quickly. The COA won that procedure, but the municipality appealed to the Council of State, which finally set the deadline for the end of June.
Residents against
According to the municipality, there is no legal reason to refuse permission, although a large number of Cranendonck residents would prefer to get rid of the asylum seeker centre. The villages of Budel and Maarheeze have been complaining for years about the serious inconvenience caused, in particular, by residents of safe areas, people mainly from North Africa, who go through an asylum procedure with virtually no chance.
In addition to this permit renewal procedure, COA and the municipality recently signed an agreement in principle. The maximum number of shelter places in Budel will be reduced by a third, from 1,500 currently to 960 by the end of 2027. A smaller asylum center means less inconvenience, is the underlying idea.
Numbers and composition.
The new permit also includes the number of authorized asylum seekers and the composition of the group of asylum seekers. The latter to reduce the risk of discomfort. The COA must draw up a plan to ensure security around and within the asylum seeker centre.
Residents can object to the decision within six weeks. But the municipality warns that, according to law, an environmental permit can only be granted or refused on spatial grounds, such as traffic, nature and air quality. “Inconvenience is a factor, but it is not decisive,” said councillor Karel Boonen.
reason for leave
An environmental permit is required because the site of the former Nassau-Dietz barracks has a military purpose. A different use requires such permission.
