Previous Interim Ruling
In December 2024, the Administrative Jurisdiction Division issued a so-called interim ruling (opens in new window) (refers to another website) in this case. It instructed the municipal council of Katwijk to better justify whether a building height of forty meters complies with good spatial planning. Furthermore, the council had to substantiate whether the proposed measures to reduce recreational pressure in the Natura 2000 area ‘Meijendel & Berkheide’ are sufficient to prevent damage to the nature reserve.
Plan Successfully Amended
According to the Administrative Jurisdiction Division, the municipality has succeeded in correcting the deficiencies in the plan. The municipal council limited the building heights for stacked housing to 15 and 20 meters in the amended zoning plan, with conditional allowances to increase to 32 or 40 meters. Additionally, the council conducted further research into the extent and effects of recreational pressure on the adjacent Natura 2000 area. The Division concluded that the council not only mapped the increase in visitors (walkers, runners, and dog walkers) to the nature reserve but also the consequences. Moreover, a new recreational area with walking paths is being created outside the protected nature reserve. This can prevent the recreational pressure in the Natura 2000 area from increasing to a level that damages the area.
Consequences of This Final Ruling
The municipal council of Katwijk has successfully remedied the shortcomings in the zoning plan, making the plan final. The municipality can now proceed with developing the residential area, including approximately 5,600 homes.