On 22 October, a referendum will decide whether or not to build accommodation for refugees in the district of Biemenhorst at the location \ — *On 22 October, a referendum will decide whether or not to build accommodation for refugees in the district of Biemenhorst at the location "Auf dem Takenkamp".*

*© Stadt Bocholt*

22. October 2023Social

Referendum: Accommodation for refugees in the Biemenhorst district can be built

Bocholt citizens voted // 66 % in favour of the "Takenkamp" site, 34 % against // Voter turnout at 39 %.

In the Biemenhorst district of Bocholt, a shelter for refugees can be built on the municipal property "Auf dem Takenkamp". This was decided by a majority of Bocholt citizens in a referendum on Sunday. Around 22,600 citizens took part in the referendum. This corresponds to a turnout of almost 39%.

Consequences

This means that the Bocholt city council's decision from March 2023, which envisages the property being used to accommodate 250 people in mobile accommodation until the end of 2027 at the latest, remains in place. The property will then be used for residential development.

Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff announced the provisional result of the referendum, which must be determined by the city council next Wednesday, in the evening immediately after the count.

14,892 citizens (66%) voted against the petition, i.e. in favour of the construction of accommodation at the "Auf dem Takenkamp" site.

7,629 citizens (34%) voted against the plan to build accommodation for refugees at the "Auf dem Takenkamp" site.

71 votes were invalid.

The overall result and the results broken down by voting district are published on the municipal web portal at www.bocholt.de/buergerentscheid.

Context

Against the backdrop of rising refugee numbers, the city of Bocholt, like other municipalities, is under pressure to take action to build sufficient capacity to accommodate refugees in order to fulfil its accommodation obligations. The referendum on the location "Auf dem Takenkamp" came about after a citizens' initiative had previously initiated a citizens' petition against the construction of the accommodation at this location.