Dutch towns protest asylum seeker centre at former Boerenbond site

Local residents in the Dutch municipalities of Son, Breugel and the neighbourhood of De Zilk in Noordwijk have organised opposition to proposed asylum seeker centres (AZC). In Son and Breugel, the actiegroep AZC Buurtbelangen Boerenbond Breugel started a petition that has gathered 171 signatures, arguing that the former Boerenbond site is unsuitable for the planned 70‑person facility and the anticipated 109 asylum seekers. They cite safety concerns, lack of nearby education and healthcare, limited police capacity and insufficient space for privacy. The municipality bought the site and offered it to the COA, but the COA has not confirmed use.

Meanwhile, residents of De Zilk sent a letter to the Noordwijk council demanding an independent study on potential housing‑price declines and compensation if an AZC were placed on the De Tiltenberg site in Vogelenzang. They reference earlier Dutch research showing possible negative effects on property values and request that the neighbouring municipalities of Bloemendaal and Hillegom be consulted. Both groups call for the authorities to seek alternative, permanent locations for asylum accommodation.