Local residents present their own vision Farm Frites

The area vision 'Hellevoetsluis South East', which also includes the opening up of Farm Frites and the solar fields, was fully completed on Wednesday, April 3. discussed during the committee meeting in Hellevoetsluis. There is so much interest that a follow-up meeting is required. During the meeting, Robert Hommen presented 'The Alternative', an alternative vision of the plans made by local residents. Hommen is chairman of the naturist campsite, which is located near the factory, and worked on the vision for a long time.

Local residents received little support from the municipality and the mayor and aldermen (B and W). That is why a delegation entered into discussions with the management of Farm Frites about the alternative and the area vision. Both stakeholders want to change various aspects of the area vision. "However, the municipality and the municipal executive continue to stubbornly pursue their chosen course," Hommen said.

Waterway
French fries producer Farm Frites would like to expand potato processing in Oudenhoorn, where it all started for the De Bruijne family. However, the factory is surrounded by Hellevoetsluis and Oudenhoorn. The Haringvliet is located on the south side and the alternative plan sees possibilities for this.

Instead of having 900 trucks drive along the so-called 'French fries road' every week, the alternative plan proposes to transport as much as possible by ship. For example, the potatoes can be supplied via the Moerdijk and the end product can be shipped to storage locations on the Maasvlakte. The plan to use the waterway as a route has also been discussed by Farm Frites. It fits in with the goal of reducing CO₂reduce emissions. 

However, that vision refers to the situation in 2030 and not to the current ambition. "Transport by ship has indeed been described as a pipe dream for the future," explains Gijs Muilenburg, financial director at Farm Frites. "During the 'Green Circle' project, in which Heineken is participating, this also turned out to be practically feasible. Some of the beer is transported by electrically powered ships and wind turbines generate the required power."

Hooks and eyes
"However, this is not so easy for potatoes," he continues. "First of all, Haringvliet is a Natura 2000 area. So you cannot build a terminal there and install infrastructure. The supply of potatoes is also a major challenge. Growers are spread out and not always in the vicinity of a loading location. In addition, there is the quality. The disposal of end product in freezer containers is more realistic in that respect. This means it can take on part of the logistics in the distant future. See these ideas as a dot on the horizon."

The company sees the construction of a road between the factory and the provincial road as the only practical solution. The current route runs through a residential area and Farm Frites wants to get rid of that (for reasons of safety and inconvenience). Muilenburg acknowledges that the construction has an impact on the small group of people involved. He says he does everything he can to meet demands and hear objections.

solar fields
Another tricky point is the construction of various solar fields, so that the factory can largely run on green energy. In 'The Alternative' it is proposed to install solar panels on the sludge basin of Farm Frites and to install the other half of the required number of panels on the roofs of villagers and farms. However, this requires quite a bit of consultation and cooperation with parties. This takes time, meaning no sustainability steps can be taken in the short term.

Muilenburg says that Farm Frites is not eager to fill agricultural land with solar panels. "Minister Eric Wiebes (of Economic Affairs and Climate) has stated that we can no longer use Groningen gas. That requires sacrifices. Installing 20 hectares of solar panels is the best option for us on agricultural land. Do you want such a If you put surface area on roofs, then you have to work with a large group of parties. Some of the neighboring farmers may be interested, but they also want to use part of the generated electricity themselves. That becomes complex."

Renewable energy
The financial director does not think the idea is inconceivable from those involved, but again it is not for the short term. "We want to become more sustainable at a high pace. This is being passed on from politics and via provincial and municipal levels. Our major customers, such as fast food chains, are certainly asking for this. However, sustainability is only possible if you implement it throughout the entire potato sector. The grower gets also have to deal with this. That can certainly have a positive effect."

The matter was met again on Wednesday, April 10, and on Thursday, April 18, the city council will consider the plans in the area. Farm Frites and Muilenburg remain positive: "The area vision will be discussed on April 18. Things will probably be adjusted at that time to keep inconvenience to a minimum. We continue to talk to those involved in order to be a good neighbor. Many employees live there in the vicinity and most of them are positive. You hear a small group that gives a strong response and we recognize their views. Farm Frites is rooted here. A lot has been invested in the factory and so moving is not an option. That would cost an insane amount of money. going to cost."

Further course
The company also thinks that the 'Patatweg' cannot be realized in the short term. There is more of a hurry with the solar panels, and Farm Frites hopes that the municipal council can agree to the plans and then grant a permit in September. It can then compete in the SDE subsidy round that starts in October.