‘As long as they do not pop all day’: plan for Megakazerne in Zeewolde evokes mixed reactions

The grass is high in the verges on the Spiekweg in Zeewolde. A falcon is circling around in search of a prey, a farmer sprays his field with a tractor. The scent of manure of the cows further alternates with that of wild flowers.

It seems as if this area has always been a countryside. But in 1943 a British bomber crashed from a height of 2,200 meters ‘in crush on the waves’, says an information board along the road. All seven crew members died. Only after the draining of the IJsselmeer, in 1970, were the last three bodies salvaged.

In the meantime, the Polder Rum has been dry for fifty years. It is green, quiet and fertile agricultural area. That will probably not take a long time: on Friday, the Ministry of Defense announced that the area on the Spiekweg is ‘preferred location’ for a mega barracks. Eight farms and 245 hectares of nature will have to give way to the arrival of the base, where around 2040 at the latest around seven thousand soldiers have to be housed.

« I can’t imagine that gray warehouses, storage and workshops come here, » sighs Carolien den Brok. Together with her partner, she runs a dairy farm and farm shop Boeren Pitstop. Her yard is set up for the curious visitor who wants to learn more about farming life, with games for children and a place where you can make waffles yourself. « I don’t have to think that people will soon crawl around here in green packages. That’s just not right. »

Polder pioneers

The parents -in -law of Den Brok were forty years ago « polder pioneers, » she says. Eight years ago she took over the company with her partner. « I fight for this area, because look around you. » She points to the fields and the trees. « It is beautiful here. This polder has just been cultivated for the fertile agricultural land. And then there will soon be asphalt here. »

At a green picnic table on the farmyard, Den Brok tells about the stress and uncertainty in which she has been in since the area came into the picture for the barracks at the end of 2022. « Since then it has been here. » The promised rapid decision was always postponed. Zemaar has no longer made major investments in her company. « The Ministry of Defense gave a timetable, but always did not adhere to it. For the farmers in the area that had enormous impact. There is a sword of Damocles above our heads all the time. »

There is a sword of Damocles above our heads all the time

After the Ministry of Defense was the long list with new locations at the end of last year, two places left in Zeewolde for the barracks. In February the municipality decided to focus the lobby towards the empire on the preferred location in Oosterwold, more towards Almere. For example, the rural area on the Spiekweg, where recreation also takes place, could be preserved.

To the south of the intended defense area, brand new holiday chalets are waiting for the tourist season. Two years ago, the Erkemederstrand holiday park was sold to Capfun, a French chain that invests heavily in the site. While construction workers are finalizing the swimming park, with candy pink slide, says the park manager in his office he has their own and business opinion about the defense plans. For a substantive response, however, he refers to the head office. An answer remains.

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Photos Eric Brinkhorst

Walter van Hattem (64) is one of the regular guests at the holiday park. The sun -tanned man from Zeist is doing odd jobs on the veranda of his mobile home. He hears from the possible arrival of the barracks for the first time, and he shrugs. « It doesn’t matter to me. It would be worse if they created an airport here. »

Further on is Astrid Planken (65) from Berkel and Rodenrijs between the hung with a cup of tea for her caravan. The arrival of the barracks seems to be « not very pleasant, » but she sees the need: « We have to defend ourselves in one way or another. As long as the soldiers do not run or pop all day. » Moreover: rather a barracks than a ammunition depot, she states: « Then it will be more dangerous in time of war. Then the enemy may think: I throw a bomb on it. I am here with my caravan. »

Exercises with boats

To the east of the area is the head office of Scouting Nederland and its largest camping site. The scouts are not necessarily against the arrival of the barracks, says a spokesperson. For example, soldiers could spend the night on the scouting site if no activities take place, or do exercises with boats or divers. « And maybe we can use their facilities again. We are happy to talk about how we can be good neighbors. »

Back on the farm, Den Brok counts down the days until the Council of Ministers is considering the preferred locations. She sleeps badly, she says. It gives her and her family a lot of stress. When asked what she is going to do, if the farm has to give way to the barracks, she has no answer yet. « People have been asking what my plan B is for two and a half years. But that is such a split in my head. It is probably better to think about it, but I can’t do it. I can’t put my energy in this place and think about leaving at the same time. »

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