Ministry of defense Acquires Land for Military Expansion Amidst Farmer Concerns
The Ministry of Defense has confirmed the acquisition of land in the vicinity of its De Haar training grounds, a move intended to compensate for the expansion of the military facility. The Central Government Real Estate Agency is actively purchasing land in the region, registering for public auctions and engaging in discussions wiht landowners on behalf of the Ministry.
While the Ministry of Defense is providing minimal details on the sale, a spokesperson stated that the agency is acting in coordination with Defense. The Central Government Real Estate Agency acknowledged the land purchase but declined to share specifics due to ongoing handling. Sources indicate that the transaction involves between 140 and 170 hectares of land.
the expansion aims to increase the De Haar training ground, located near Laaghalen and Laaghalveen, by approximately 300 hectares. This expansion will necessitate farmers in the affected area to relinquish land, and in certain specific cases, cease their operations entirely.
Local farmers have expressed frustration over what they perceive as poor communication and a lack of consideration for their interests from the Ministry. They believe the Ministry’s land acquisition is now encroaching on land they would have preferred to purchase themselves.Reports suggest the Ministry of Defense offered approximately 120,000 euros per hectare, perhaps totaling nearly 18 million euros for the entire area. This figure is substantially higher than the average price of around 80,000 euros per hectare for agricultural land in Drenthe, according to the Land Registry.The Ministry has not commented on these figures.
Willem Vossebeld, party leader for the BBB in Provincial States, described the land sale to Defense as “silly, but logical.” He noted that the Ministry’s higher offer disadvantages local farmers in public auctions.However, Vossebeld also acknowledged the Ministry’s need for land to offset the expansion and compensate nearby farmers, stating that acquiring available land is a practical buisness decision.