Son en Breugel

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Son en Breugel


mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = North Brabant
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 26.49
area_land_km2 = 25.93
area_water_km2 = 0.56
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 15298
population_density_km2 = 590
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2

Son en Breugel (pronunciation|225 Son en Breugel.ogg) is a municipality in the southern Netherlands just outside of Eindhoven. 15,204 lived in this municipality as of June 1, 2005. Son en Breugel is 26,67 km² (of which 0,28 km² water). Son en Breugel used to be two different towns 'Son' and 'Breugel'. The border between these towns is made by the stream the Dommel. Son en Breugel borders to the following municipalities: Eindhoven, Sint-Oedenrode, Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten, Best and Laarbeek.

History

The villages of Son and Breugel were founded between the 12th and 14th century. The villages developed quickly; some 300 households (150 each) were reported in both villages during the 15th century. However, both Son as well as Breugel were hit hard during the Eighty Years' War, and the number of households shrink to some 140 (with a total of 600 - 800 inhabitants). However, both villages manage to recover.

During the reign of Napoleon, both villages are combined into one municipality. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the population stays relatively stable at some 1,500 persons. However, between 1910 and 1940 the population increases from 1,600 to 3,500 when people start to move to the village out of economic reasons. Was the scene of heavy fighting at the end of the Second World War. From 1960 onwards, Son en Breugel continues to grow. As of August 16th 2002, the number of inhabitants reached 15,000.

Future

The current number of households in Son en Breugel is 6,000. The village is expected to grow with some 3,000 households in the coming years, a 50% growth (Sonniuswijk or Breugel, which has to be decided after a MER investigation)vague|date=March 2008, as a measure to prevent the municipality from being absorded within the neighbouring municipality of Eindhoven.

Politics

During the municipal elections on March 7th 2006, five political parties gained seats in the Son & Breugel town council:

* Dorpsbelang Son & Breugel: 5 seats (4 seats since August 2006 - see below)
* VVD: 3 seats
* CDA: 3 seats
* PvdA/GroenLinks (combined list): 3 seats
* Gemeentelijke Samenwerking Son & Breugel: 3 seats
* Lijst Van Aken: 1 seat (In August 2006 one seat out of Dorpsbelang Son en Breugel started his own List)

In March/April 2006, a coalition was formed of VVD, CDA and PvdA/GroenLinks. Together they have a majority of 9 seats out of 17.

Population centres

*Breugel
*Son

External links

* [http://www.sonenbreugel.nl Official Website]