Opposition to the Arrival of 230 Asylum Seekers at Valkenburcht in Oosterbeek

The arrival of 230 asylum seekers at the Valkenburcht in Oosterbeek is facing strong opposition. Verena Jansen has started a petition out of concern that the vulnerable residents of the senior housing complex will be negatively affected. “They will be pushed out,” says the resident of Oosterbeek.

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) plans to rent the east wing of the building for three years. The senior housing complex has already been the subject of debate for some time. Investors want to demolish the building and build new apartments, but the last private owners are preventing this. They refuse to sell their apartments to the investors. It’s possible that the flat owners may change their minds due to fears of potential disturbances caused by the asylum seekers being housed in the building.

Although Jansen’s grandfather doesn’t live in the building itself but in the nearby area, she is deeply concerned. Her criticism is mainly directed at the location, a flat where many elderly people currently live. “This location just isn’t suitable.”

Jansen also highlights concerns about social safety around the nearby sports fields and the bike path along Galoppi. “It’s very dark there in the evenings. There’s already advice to avoid cycling there alone.”

Her initiative has sparked mixed reactions in Oosterbeek. Until last summer, the village hosted a successful reception center for a hundred people in a former care facility. Many locals are therefore supportive of the idea of a new asylum center.