Hilledijk tree felling faces political opposition and land dispute

A controversy has emerged regarding the planned felling of 23 healthy poplar trees along the Hilledijk in the Afrikaanderwijk district. The removal is part of a larger development project intended to build 230 new homes in the Tweebosbuurt area.

Opposition has been raised by political parties, including the SP and Partij voor de Dieren, who have raised critical questions in the city council. Concerns include the impact on protected bat populations in the area.

Notably, one specific tree will remain standing for the time being because it is located on a small, private parcel of land belonging to the estate of Willemina Fokkelina Meppelder, who passed away in 1955. Authorities are currently searching for heirs to this property, which sits in the path of the planned construction.