New shine for Eichenhof: critically competitive plans in Worpswede!

New shine for Eichenhof: critically competitive plans in Worpswede!

In the artist village of Worpswede, Erwin Bienewald plans to revive the overgrown property of the Eichenhof with his Maribondo Da Floresta Foundation. The area, once an institution of hospitality, has now been overgrown by scrub and garbage. The foundation's approach provides for the construction of a small conference hotel and old apartments for people in need of care. This project is intended to bring new impetus to the region, but the implementation remains uncertain.

The concept includes the construction of a hotel with 15 wheelchair -accessible rooms and three apartments in which only seminars are held. External providers have to take care of the catering of the participants. In addition, the creation of 18 apartments with common rooms is planned. Bienewald wants to attach great importance to the preservation of nature; More than half of the property should remain close to nature, including the oak avenue that leads to the oak yard.

How does the local council assess the concept?

The reactions of the Worpsweder municipal council on Bienewald's plans have so far been rather skeptical. Several members of the council represented expressed concerns about the feasibility and the insufficient detail of the concept presented. Mayor Stefan Schwenke commented: "The concept presented leaves questions open in many places. A clear presentation of the hotel company is completely missing." This resulted in the project was rejected in the Administrative Committee. The direct contact between bee forest and the council groups has also produced mixed feelings; The letter from the foundation manager perceived some as a means of pressure.

The critics within the council emphasize that the economic aspect should not be neglected. A foundation like Maribondo would be exempt from trade tax, which could be a disadvantage for the financially stricken community. Furthermore, some council members expressed concerns about a possible reduction in groundwater that could have a negative impact on the surrounding nature.

How does the Maribondo Foundation respond to the criticism?

In response to the reservations of the local council members, Bienewald wrote a letter in which he appealed to the political representatives to give the project a chance. “With the Eichenhof, Worpswede gets a valuable piece back without having to invest any financial resources,” he writes. He doesn't want to see the foundation as a company that exploits the community, but rather as a valuable partner for the village community. Bienewald assures that the construction will have no negative impact on groundwater levels and that the tree population will be treated carefully.

The foundation also has a plan B ready if the local council should refuse approval. However, Bienewald would first like to receive positive signals from the council members. "If our project does not find any support, we will have to think about another use for the site," he said mysteriously, without calling further details.

According to the previous developments, the Maribondo Foundation is asked to revise the original concept. A re -assessment by the local council is expected to take place in November. The hopes for a revitalized use of the Eichenhof are at least not completely disappeared. The decision could possibly be made before the end of the year, which would be of leading importance for both the foundation and the community.