A court in the Netherlands held a hearing on plans for a migrant worker hotel for 366 people on the Rielseweg, near the border between Riel and Tilburg. Real estate entrepreneur Ahmet Demir received a permit from the municipality of Tilburg for the project, while residents argued that the scale was excessive. They submitted a petition with almost 1,500 signatures in early 2024 and said that the development would add to an existing location housing more than 100 migrant workers in Riel.

Demir and the municipality said the larger scale would allow facilities including medical care, recreation and collective transport. The hearing has ended, but no decision has been issued. The residents’ lawyer has been given time to conduct additional research, after which the proceedings will continue. A ruling is expected within 16 weeks after the research results are submitted.