Westerwolde council is taking the government to court to force a reduction in the number of asylum seekers who are living at the Ter Apel reception centre. 

“We have reached a situation which is no longer acceptable and legal intervention is needed,” mayor Jaap Velema told current affairs show EenVandaag.

The centre has an official limit of 2,000 asylum seekers but currently around 2,200 are living at the Groningen location, a situation which has been criticised by government inspectors, health officials and refugee rights agencies. 

The emergency hearing will take place on January 10. 

Last month refugee settlement agency COA said it would contact 45 municipalities that are failing to meet their obligations to provide shelter under a plan agreed between local mayors and provinces.