A section of the Chemistry building on the Dreijen may be preserved. Photo Roelof Kleis The construction plans for the Dreijen are progressing. With project developer Gebroeders Blokland (Hardinxveld-Giessendam), the site owner, WUR, aims to construct at least 550 homes. This is stage two of the construction: the site of the former Chemistry building, Computechnion, Agrotechnion and the De Valk building.
That does not mean WUR is moving into the construction business. ‘Certainly not’, says Patrick Horstink (Real Estate). ‘WUR has a long history on the site, and we want to pass it on properly. We aim to achieve the construction of homes for inhabitants of Wageningen and the Campus. To this end, we enlisted the services of a project developer.’
Certainty
WUR is, and will remain, the owner of the land at the Dreijen until the outline of the housing development is clear, says Horstink. Only then will the land be sold. This approach provides WUR with the certainty that the project will really take off. ‘We do not want to sell a plot of land for it to become a wasteland.’
This is the same approach as was taken previously for the construction of Kortenoord and the first stage of construction at the Dreijen. For that part of the former campus, where 80 (partially independent) houses will be constructed, the zoning plan is to be established soon. Horstink: ‘The land has been sold but not yet delivered. That will happen once the zoning plan is established, the participation procedures finalised, and part of the houses are sold.’
The fact that some of the buildings are still in use is the reason that the development of the second part of the Dreijen has taken until now. Some (parts of) buildings serve as student housing. Moreover, some of the buildings will remain in use as extra space rooms during renovations on the campus in the coming years.
We want to leave the land in a good state and, of course, receive a realistic price for the land
Patrick Horstink, Real Estate, WUR
How much the land is to be sold for is not yet clear. According to the council documents, there is still some ‘discussion’ about the value of the land. Horstink denies that there is a dispute. ‘As long as the framework – the zoning plan and the construction programme – have yet to be established, there is no telling what the value of the land is. We want to leave the land in a good state and, of course, receive a realistic price for the land.’
Social housing
De Dreijen (stage 2) is to be a low-traffic residential area with at least 550 homes and a community centre with a gym. Thirty per cent of the houses must be social housing. Currently, options to preserve (parts of) the Chemistry building, Agrotechnion or De Valk are being considered. ‘The Chemistry building is the most likely candidate’, says Horstink. ‘But we are not making any demands.’
‘Fitting these buildings into the plans is quite a challenge’, according to Horstink. ‘The developer is aware of the fact that this is historical WUR territory. Including that aspect in the new residential area will give it more allure.’
This evening, the alderman for housing construction will hold a round table discussion with the public about the construction plans for the Dreijen. This topic will start at 20.30 hrs. Venue: Wageningen city hall.