Villa Sonnehaerd, or “Villa Vruchtbaar” (=Fertile), “Villa Vrugbar” or just, “The Villa”, and the Sonnehaerd Estate at Woudenbergseweg 21, Austerlitz (Zeist), was squatted August 28th, 2001. At the time, it was empty for over six years and due to the illegal demolishment works of the owner, N. Bakker, who also owns Hotel “Oud London”, it was in a very bad state. The squatters have made it wind & waterproof and livable again.

The owner and Zeist Council want to build luxury ‘care-appartments’ on the ecologically very diverse and valuable estate, which includes mixed mostlu deciduous woodland, meadows and parkland. The first attempt to get planning permission has fortunately been thwarted by legal appeals made by the Villa’s squatters and others.