A project developer is looking into building a new neighbourhood in Tilburg specifically for gay, bisexual and transgender people, according to local paper Brabants Dagblad.

The Gay Village would be a first in the Netherlands but opinion in the Dutch gay community is divided about the idea, the Brabants Dagblad says. There is a nursing home in Amsterdam specifically for gays and lesbians.

Project developer Blauwhoed has its eye on a piece of derelict land on the northern side of Tilburg. The company says the project is a reflection of research which shows 22% of gay men in the Netherlands sometimes don’t feel safe in their own neighbourhoods.

Housing

If there is enough interest in the plan, the future residents will be given as much say as possible about how the area should look, project leader Yvonne van Mierlo told the paper.

Estate agent Toine Naber said the area of land includes 13 different locations for housing, which could include detached and terraced homes. The average price would be around €250,000.

‘You can’t exclude heterosexuals because that would conflict with European human rights treaties,’ Naber said. ‘Nor do we want to discriminate. But you could get around it legally via a residents’ association.’

Tolerant

Tilburg mayor Peter Noordanus has welcomed the plan. ‘A tolerant city is pleased to have a gay community within its borders,’ he told the paper.

Henk Krol, former MP and editor of the Gaykrant newspaper, said other similar initiatives have failed to become a reality. ‘I don’t think there is much demand,’ he said.

Paul Borger, head of the local branch of gay lobby group COC, said he expected older gay people would be interested in the plan.