Behoud Dreyeroord Oosterbeek / Save the White house Oosterbeek

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UPDATE:

Change of construction plans for Dreyeroord

Last year Amvest bought the former hotel Dreyeroord. Following the consultation of a number of interested organizations, the original construction plans have established a new plan.  The distinctive front and side wall of the former hotel will be rebuilt as it was in the 1930’s facade.

A new designation for Dreyeroord

Amvest wished to construct a Guest House on the former hotel’s site. This is a small-scale care site designed for people with dementia. On June 16, 2016 The Guest House was presented to the locality.  The plans initially received a warm reception and the construction plans through the neighborhood were mostly well received. But various stakeholding organisations objected to the demolition of the current building, because of its history.

Demolition inevitable

Amvest presented new plan on June 16, 2016 research showed that it is not possible to maintain the current hotel. Rented housing and care of people with advanced age and high levels of dementia would only possible if the building is completely refurbished. The layout and surface areas of the rooms, the shared kitchen and living room and hallways must be adapted to accommodate the necessary requirements. The systems and lighting must comply with the appropriate technical and legal specifications. That is not feasible in the existing building. The Guest House cannot and will not make concession to the quality of housing and care to this vulnerable group of people. In response to the objections, and to show support at the request of the municipality, and again in a report by an independent expert agency.

Consultation with stakeholders

In response to the concerns that have been expressed about the proposed demolition of the former hotel Dreyeroord, one on one discussions were held with various interested organisations. This was to clarify their concerns and wishes. With this input Amvest set to work in order to reach a conclusion acceptable to all. The Foundation for the Conservation WWII Heritage Gelderland also presented its own renovation plan in 2016 for maintaining parts of the former Hotel Dreyeroord (by partially modifying the existing building and partly new construction / extension). Amvest has studied the Foundation's plan. However, the alternative plan shows the specifications of the Guest House do not fit. It does not utilise the available space, and organization of the various functions required to deliver high quality care. The required construction/expansion falls outside the boundary in the zoning, any failure to meet the building regulations when it comes to the distance from the building to the property boundary of adjacent plots means this would be rejected. Despite maintaining the current building cannot remain based on the plan of the Foundation, all objections lodged and at the request of the municipality, Amvest decided to drop the plan presented in June 2016 and create this new design. This has resulted in a design in which the characteristic elements of the hotel, as it looked during World War II will be rebuilt.

The new design

Since WWII, the appearance of the former hotel Dreyeroord has been adapted several times. In the new design, the characteristic elements of the front and side wall of the iconic facade of World War II will be restored. Here the length of the facade will be slightly modified, so the Guest House can be integrated well. The angle of the sloping roof is equal to that of the current hotel.  The doors and windows will be returned to the visual look of the facade. The total volume of The Guest House does not fit within the current building, there will be a separate floor built. This will be designed with a different look. The new design has recently been discussed informally with the Committee on Environmental Quality and can count on their support. The new design by Amvest of the Guest House was presented to various interested organizations on February 9, 2017.

The Guest House wants to preserve for the new building named Dreyeroord. It also wishes the Guest House to open the building for veterans and their families during the annual Airborne memorial weekend. In addition, the Guest House living room will be decorated with paintings and photos taken during the war at this place or nearby.

Hereby we want to give you a short heads up around the case of the former Dreyeroord hotel in Oosterbeek. The building is now threatened with demolishment as the new owner, a project developer, want to build a new building at the site and “The White House” is in their way. A half year has past now since we started a new ‘Battle for the White House’ with a group of history and Market Garden enthusiasts. This time prevent to the demolishment from happening. Allot has happened since then.

 As most of you know this the place where very heavy fighting took place in and around this buiding took place during Market Garden when the Airborne soldiers of the 7th Kings Own Scottish Borderers fougth a very heavy and gallant battle against superior numbers of German (Waffen SS) troops. The fighting happened in and around the hotel and also involved a number of bajonet charges during the 21st of September when the building switched from owner more then once. This battle became known as ‘The battle for the white house’.

 The signature campaign that started 6 months ago is now at more than 17.000 signatures from all over the world. Beside that allot of Dutch heritage organisations, certainly the ones that have a connection with world war two, have called for the preservation of the building and the British ambassador in the Netherlands wrote an open letter to the town of Renkum. In this letter he stated that such an important building, one of the last tangible memories to the great sacrifices of the British Airborne troops during Market Garden, must be preserved for generations to come.

The workgroup for preservation of Dreyeroord also initiated conversations with the town of Renkum and the project developer Amvest to show them the great significance of the building, not only during Market Garden but also in the 100 years before that. At the beginning of november after weeks of hard work and allot of a puzzeling architect together with Wiljo Pas, a Oosterbeek resident, were able to present a plan to these parties which makes it possible to fit in all the desired new functions inside the historical core of the former Hotel. This makes demolishment unnessecary and can even make a great combination between a place of remembrance and a home to help elderly people.

 At this moment we’re almost two months further and we’re still waiting for a responce from the councillors and major of the town of Renkum and the project developer. Till now both are frightening silent.

In the mean while the same councillors that keep us waiting, are telling the media that they find former estates (Dreyeroord is a former estate) and Airborne history the most important features of the town of Renkum to give on to the generations to come. In reality they don’t do anything to make this happen. This is for us of course extremely frustrating.

 We will keep up the fight for the preservation of Dreyeroord and it’s history, also in 2017. But we can use your support. If you are somebody or know someone that can help us win this battle, please help us out to preserve Market Garden and the history of the 1st Airborne Division for the future generations!

Also please keep on spreading and signing our signature campaign that you can find over here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/nl-nl/767/071/787/behoud-dreyeroord-oosterbeek-save-the-white-house-oosterbeek/

Read more on Facebook and please like us: Preserve WOII Foundation on FB

On behalf of the (we're now official Preserve WW2 History Gelderland Foundation) we which you all a great 2017 and we would like to thank you for your massive support in 2016!

Wiljo Pas, Gert-Jan Weijerink and Sander Wolterink

(for contact or information please contact; info@bwo2eg.nl)

OOSTERBEEK - The planned demolition of Hotel Dreijeroord in Oosterbeek do emotions run high around the world. At the site of the hotel, which played an important role in 1944 during the Battle of Arnhem, is a new nursing home planned.

Wiljo Pas, which held a spontaneous demonstration against the demolition of the old hotel a few weeks ago, says in two days to have received thousands of comments. "From England, the United States, Canada, Australia, all over the world," says the Oosterbeek resident.

Thousand likes
His Facebook page Behoud Dreyeroord Oosterbeek has more thousand of 'likes' after a few days. "The demolition permit has not been requested," the protester said. "But if that happens, I hope every Oosterbeek resident, veteran, children of veterans or anybody else involved or interested makes objection."

Demolition Plans
Robert Voskuil, historian and scholar of the Battle of Arnhem, says demolition plans affect many people. "Englishmen want all chaining themselves to prevent demolition. Dreyeroord is world famous according Voskuil. "About what took place there are several books written in September 1944. It was really a tragedy."