Situation regarding former treatment plant in Hoogkerk - update 17 January

Update January 17 - presentation of petition

On Wednesday afternoon 15 January, the group of squatters—known as Waterskaap—called on the water authority to accept a petition entitled "Stop the demolition." The executive board invited them to do so on Friday morning, 17 January, at the Water Authority building in Groningen. On Thursday evening, the group announced that they would be unable to attend due to work commitments. 
The executive board, by way of portfolio holder Beerda (Treated Water and Licensing and Enforcement) and Dyke Reeve van der Schaaf, has announced that the water authority remains prepared to accept the petition at a later, suitable time. We will remain in contact with the squatters' group about this. In the meantime, the legal proceedings will continue.

Report dated 15 January 

Why does this site need to be evacuated? 

The squatters use the building as living space and organise meetings and performances there. This situation is not only undesirable but also unsafe. The water authority cannot and will not be responsible for unsafe situations for users and their visitors. The water authority manages surface water and is responsible for treating wastewater in its region. The water authority is accountable for that task, but not for maintaining an unofficial, self-proclaimed 'cultural incubator' in the city of Groningen. The rates of our residents and entrepreneurs are intended for the major tasks involved in water management, not for stimulating the cultural climate in the city of Groningen.

The premises have been squatted in since September 2023. The water authority formally gave this group of squatters use of the property on 18 January 2024, with a so-called occupancy agreement. The water authority may terminate this agreement three months after it has been concluded and if there is an "urgent need for its own use." The parties have specifically agreed that 'urgent own use' includes demolition and/or repurposing of the premises. The planned demolition has now been prepared. Therefore, the agreement has been terminated with a notice period of five calendar weeks. That period expired on 15 January 2025.

The timing of the planned evacuation is poor, say the users. What does the water authority think about that?

From the outset, we have made it clear that this situation cannot continue. The current group of users has been kept informed of every step in the process of preparing for demolition. Preparing for demolition takes time. The necessary surveys, including a nature assessment, have been carried out to rule out the presence of protected bats, for example. An asbestos survey has been carried out for the former industrial building. In addition, a procedure has been followed to find a party that can carry out the demolition. These processes and associated procedures take months to complete. The water authority preferred to proceed with demolition earlier. Nevertheless, the message to terminate the agreement in the foreseeable future does not come as a surprise to the users. This has been communicated to them in writing, by email, and in person. 

Can't the water authority legalise the situation? Isn't there a great need for housing?

No, the water authority does not want that. The building is not suitable for long-term occupancy and does not have planning permission for residential use (nor for events or as a rehearsal space, for that matter). As the owner, the water authority no longer wants be responsible for what happens in and around the building for longer than necessary. Again, that is not our role. We also note that the agreements we have reached with each other about its use are not always honoured: there are often too many people, the place is being used as a café/meeting place, and performances are taking place. None of this is what we agreed. This is also leading to complaints from the neighbourhood. That is an additional reason to want to end the situation now. We will therefore enforce the situation and proceed with demolition.

The demolition has been delayed for years. Why the rush now?

The urgency is rather relative. After all, the group of users has been able to use the building for quite some time. We reached agreements together. As mentioned, we have observed that these agreements are not always honoured by the group of users.
It is true that the building could have been demolished even before the squatters moved in. Recently, the water authority focused on new projects in surface water and wastewater management. The demolition of this site has indeed taken too long. Nevertheless, it must still be done and will happen.

What will happen to the site after demolition?

The site will be levelled to ground level and will remain undeveloped for the time being to allow everything to settle properly. The water authority remains the owner of the plot and has no plans to sell it. In the future, this site may once again play a role in carrying out our statutory task of treating wastewater from households and businesses and for storing equipment and materials, for example.

What happens if the squatters do not vacate the premises on time?

The water authority will then initiate interim relief proceedings to enforce eviction through the courts. As the case is then before the court, the water authority will not respond to the substance of the situation.