Nordhorn voices discontent towards DOC Ochtrup in their public statement
The expansion of DOC Ochtrup, a retail word, from 11,500 to over 19,000 m² of sales area, has sparked a series of legal actions from surrounding municipalities and districts. The city of Nordhorn has recently filed a lawsuit against the expansion, joining the city of Gronau, which had already challenged the building permit with the Administrative Court of Münster.
The municipalities and districts have coordinated their efforts in these legal proceedings, expressing concerns about the potential impact of the expanded DOC on smaller intermediate centers like Ochtrup, which they claim would significantly exceed its intermediate center supply mandate.
The participants of the regional exchange agree that the expansion project is an attack on inner cities and town centers, facing challenges such as online trading, and must be defended against together. They argue that the impact assessment prepared for the expansion project underestimated the impacts of DOC and did not sufficiently take into account the current and future development of online trading.
The insufficient assessment of the sales economic effects of the DOC expansion is also a point of criticism. The 21 municipalities and 3 districts had jointly opposed the massive expansion plans of DOC due to lack of regional compatibility during the planning phase.
Besides the cities of Nordhorn and Gronau, the municipality of Ochtrup is also involved in the legal dispute over the expansion of the DOC Ochtrup. The urban planning consequences for inner cities and town centers in the catchment area are criticised, with concerns that the expanded DOC could exacerbate existing challenges faced by these areas.
The cities of Nordhorn and Gronau, particularly affected by their proximity to Ochtrup, have decided to pursue legal action in response to the extensive review conducted by the city of Nordhorn against the expansion of DOC Ochtrup. The disadvantages for the region due to the expanded DOC are not justified, according to the affected municipalities and districts.
The norm control application against the building plan and an appeal against the building permit will be filed, marking the next step in this ongoing legal battle. The outcome of these proceedings could have significant implications for the future of retail development in the region.
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