Distribution Act and West Maas en Waal

What's going to happen now?  

Boven-Leeuwen December 3, 2024, the municipal council designated the site on Friessestraat in Boven-Leeuwen as a promising location. No final decision has yet been made on whether the site will actually be put into use.

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has concluded its study on the financial feasibility of establishing the reception center with positive results. Now that this has been clarified, a permitting process will be initiated. The next step is to conduct a preliminary spatial feasibility study. This study will determine whether it is also feasible from a planning perspective to build and operate the reception center on Friessestraat. The COA had expected to be able to provide a definitive answer on spatial feasibility in the third quarter of 2025. This has been postponed to 2026. During this permitting process, the municipality and the COA, together with local residents, will examine the Requirements the successful realization of the temporary reception center.

What is the schedule for this location?

• December 3, 2024: City Council Decision on the Friessestraat Shelter
• December 3, 2024: Notice Regarding the Decision on the Shelter on Friessestraat
• December 16, 2024 Information evening for residents. At 8:00 p.m. at MFA De Rosmolen, Beneden-Leeuwen
• 2026 procedures and feasibility studies
• Clarity on the final use of the plot by 2026
• The site is expected to become operational in 2026/2027

The most recent schedule is shown above.

Application Process for an Environmental Permit and an Off-Plan Environmental Planning Activity (BOPA)

The accommodation of asylum seekers does not fit within the current environmental plan. Therefore, the municipality cannot immediately issue an environmental permit. If the municipality nevertheless wishes to cooperate in accommodating asylum seekers on Friessestraat in Boven-Leeuwen, it can do so by granting an environmental permit for an activity outside the environmental plan (BOPA). In the case of accommodating asylum seekers, this is only possible if the municipal council issues municipal council positive recommendation regarding the environmental permit.

Procedure:

1. The application for an environmental permit is submitted to the municipal executive.
2. The municipal council whether to issue a positive or negative recommendation.
3. The recommendation is binding, which means that the municipal council executive may only grant the permit if the municipal council issues municipal council positive recommendation.
4. The decision to grant an environmental permit will be published at www.overheid.nl. An objection may be filed against the decision.
5. You may then file an appeal against the decision with the District Court and file a further appeal with the Council of State.

When does childcare start?

Once the permit has been granted, construction will begin and a schedule will be established. The shelter on Friessestraat in Boven-Leeuwen originally expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026, but this has been revised to 2026–2027.

Is it possible that this location could become a permanent shelter for asylum seekers?

No, the plan is for the site to eventually be used as an expansion site for the industrial park.

How many people can the facility accommodate?

The facility can accommodate between 150 and 180 asylum seekers. The COA determines who is placed in the facility and when.

Will asylum seekers from safe countries come to live here?

The asylum procedure for people from safe countries is given priority and is shorter than that for asylum seekers from unsafe countries. In this expedited procedure, a rejection usually follows within a few weeks. According to the COA, on average, approximately 3% of the accommodation spaces at our facilities are occupied by asylum seekers from safe countries who are awaiting their hearing. Incidentally, among the group of asylum seekers from safe countries, there are people who are granted asylum due to political activism, critical journalistic work, or because they belong to the LGBTQ+ community. These people are accommodated by the COA.

Where do these people go after they receive a residence permit?

The COA tries as much as possible to place people who are granted a permit (permit holders) with municipalities near the reception center. This helps newcomers integrate successfully into the region. Those who are not granted a permit must leave the Netherlands.

Who is responsible for this shelter?

The COA has assessed the site as “suitable” and is now working on a business case for it. The COA is solely responsible for the construction and completion of the accommodation facilities at the site. The municipality is not exercising the option to construct or operate the site itself.

Are asylum seekers allowed to work?

Asylum seekers are allowed to work in the Netherlands. However, their asylum application must have been pending for at least 6 months. If an asylum seeker has a job and an income, they must pay a personal contribution to the COA. This covers, among other things, the costs of their accommodation.

How is education for children organized?

Like Dutch children, asylum-seeker children are required to attend school and therefore go to school. When school-age children arrive at the reception center, the municipality will make every effort to ensure that these children receive an education as soon as possible.

What measures are being taken in terms of safety, quality of life, and support?

• The COA enforces house rules and codes of conduct ( ) and takes action if these are not followed.
• Once the property is occupied, 24/7 security will be on site
• For local residents, there will be a direct phone number for the COA (on-site phone) that they can call if there are any disturbances

How is care for asylum seekers organized?

Asylum seekers have access to essential medical care, such as primary care, obstetric care, and hospital care. This is organized and funded by the COA. Health Care for Asylum Seekers (GZA) provides primary care at the reception center on behalf of the COA. This organization ensures, for example, that a primary care physician is present at the center several times a week. The facility therefore does not rely on local general practitioner care.
In addition, the GGD is responsible for public health care. For asylum seekers, this care focuses on disease prevention, education, and health checks. For example, the GGD provides vaccinations for children of asylum seekers and monitors hygiene in the reception centers.

What about the value of our house?

The COA states that research shows there is no link between a home’s value and the presence of an asylum seekers’ center in the neighborhood.
There is a so-called “compensation scheme.” Residents are eligible to claim compensation under this scheme. However, they must prove that they have suffered a loss. If so, the COA will provide compensation.

What about a decline in the value of our home, business, or property?

Do you think the value of your property will decrease due to the arrival of the asylum seekers’ center? If so, you can request financial compensation. This is called compensation for loss (formerly known as planning damage).
You can apply forcompensation for loss after an environmental permit has been issued. We cannot say exactly when this will be, but we expect it to be in late 2025 or early 2026.

You can find more detailed information about compensation for damages on the Environmental Information Portal ( , IPLO).

Where can I go with my concerns and questions?

To contact the municipality, please email opvang@westmaasenwaal.nl.

What can I do to help?

Once the location is open, you can sign up to volunteer. We’ll provide more information about that when the time comes.