Arnhem refugee center to open amid nitrogen emission concerns

A new refugee reception center at Heijenoordseweg in Arnhem is scheduled to open on December 1. Located in the former Klimmendaal rehabilitation center building, the facility can accommodate up to 302 asylum seekers, including a planned group of 50 unaccompanied minor refugees. The municipality of Arnhem intends to use the building for shelter until at least the end of 2030, after which the site is earmarked for housing development.

To address local concerns regarding safety and nuisance, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), local police, and residents have established agreements for 24-hour supervision and a dedicated contact line for reporting issues. For minors, a structured daily program involving education and sports will be implemented to maintain order.

However, the project faces scrutiny regarding environmental regulations. While the Arnhem municipal executive previously informed the council that the renovation would produce no nitrogen emissions because only electric equipment would be used, residents have reported the presence of diesel vans, generators, and construction machinery on-site. This contradicts previous assurances, raising concerns about the impact on the nearby Natura 2000 protected area, the Veluwe, which has previously blocked similar projects due to nitrogen concerns.