Hearing on squatted school building: can squatters stay?
Squatters occupying a former school building in Zwanenburg are challenging a municipality-led eviction order in court. They argue that the planned demolition is premature because mandatory environmental surveys have not been completed, potentially allowing them to remain on the premises.
A group of squatters living in a former school building on the Kinheim in Zwanenburg is preparing for a court hearing to challenge a potential eviction. The municipality of Haarlemmermeer intends to demolish the vacant property, but the squatters argue that mandatory environmental reports, such as a flora and fauna study regarding bats, have not been completed. While the municipality has requested permission from the Public Prosecution Service to clear the building, the occupants remain in residence and are determined to defend their right to stay, even planning to represent themselves in upcoming legal proceedings.
The dispute highlights a conflict between property rights and the squatters' housing claims. Essential safety and environmental inspections, including asbestos checks, remain stalled because the municipality cannot access the interior of the occupied building. Meanwhile, the city has placed fences and warning signs around the site to prevent further trespassing. Although local residents initially expressed concerns about the squatters, reports indicate that current tensions have largely subsided.
Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
