The cabinet is sticking to the plan to close the Johan Willem Friso barracks in Assen. This is apparent from a letter from Minister Van der Maat of Foreign Affairs to the House of Representatives. He announced his intention to combine Havelte’s mechanized brigade in Drenthe with Assen’s aircraft brigade.
It was already clear that closing the barracks in Assen, built in 1892, was being discussed as a serious option. This caused a lot of nuisance in Drenthe. There is also fear of job loss.
A spokesman for the Minister of Foreign Affairs says that talks with the province and municipality of Assen are still ongoing and that no decision has yet been taken. In the summer, the State Secretary will send a further estate plan to the House of Representatives.
In the coalition agreement it was decided to get rid of the old Defense property. According to the secretary of state, the buildings are in a “terrible condition” and maintenance costs are “millions of dollars a month”.
New barracks in the center of the Netherlands
Van der Maat’s letter also shows that the cabinet wants to build a new large barracks in the center of the country. Logistics and medical support units that are now spread across the country and therefore less likely to be deployed will have to be housed there.
It seems certain that the other two barracks (in Roosendaal and Schaarsbergen) will be renovated. Agreements have been made with the provinces and municipalities to allow the residential units to remain in the region.
Source: NOS
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