On Saturday, the citizens’ initiative and other outlet opponents were out and about in Lennep’s old town. They used information sheets to inform people about the negative effects: traffic jams, fine dust, noise and no parking spaces.
Investor: greenest outlet in Europe
The vast majority in Remscheid – both in politics and in the population – is behind the outlet project.
When investor Philipp Dommermuth presented the plans for the Remscheid outlet a year ago, many were enthusiastic. With lots of wood and glass and walkable, park-like roof areas, it is set to be the greenest outlet in Europe. The Dommermuth family, which owns, among other things, the Internet company “1&1”, already runs the Montabaur outlet.
Critics not convinced
Critics of the project are not convinced by the investor’s promises. On the one hand, they consider outlets to be outdated. On the other hand, they accuse the investor of breaking his word. For example, he had promised that no trees would have to be felled for the outlet center.
That’s what’s happening now, as Philipp Dommermuth admits. But new trees would be planted.
Plans presented at public meeting
The city administration provided information about this topic at a citizens’ meeting on Wednesday evening. It is part of early citizen participation in such construction projects. Around 300 citizens came.
The architect and the commissioned planning office presented plans and the next steps. What they couldn’t answer specifically were questions about traffic, noise and fine dust pollution. The reports are still being prepared. The residents in particular would have wanted answers here.
Our sources:
WDR-ReporterRemscheid city administrationCitizens’ initiativeInvestor