At the proposal of Minister Keijzer (Housing and Spatial Planning), the cabinet today approved a draft version of the new Spatial Planning Note. The choices outlined in this document will be independently assessed for their effects in an environmental impact report (EIA). After this assessment, the Draft Spatial Planning Note will be submitted to the House in September and formally made available for inspection.

Management of the organization of the Netherlands is necessary because the major challenges in housing construction, accessibility, energy, defense, economy, agriculture, and nature are interconnected. For instance, housing construction cannot happen without accessibility or the assurance of a connection to the energy grid. On the other hand, combinations of functions present opportunities, such as regional economic strengthening at new defense locations. Therefore, coherent and integrated choices must be made.

Minister Keijzer: “What we have established today in the cabinet is the result of intensive collaboration with all my colleagues who face challenges in our living environment. In the choices we have made, we are aware that the Netherlands must remain recognizable and that we must continue to utilize the strength of all regions. We build on what already exists, and what we value, we strengthen.”

For the construction of the necessary additional homes, space is needed. The cabinet identifies new national and regional large-scale and smaller housing construction locations throughout the Netherlands in the Draft Spatial Planning Note (see map). Alkmaar, Apeldoorn, Hengelo/Enschede, and Helmond have been designated as large-scale housing construction locations where homes will be realized by 2035. Of course, the neighborhood addition is also part of the solution for the housing shortage. The area development with new homes also requires good accessibility and space for regional economic development. New strategies are being developed for Stedendriehoek, Twente, and Limburg.

The cabinet also takes charge of strengthening energy-intensive industry clusters: the seaports where energy from the sea comes ashore. These are the places where important industries are located. They are strategically important for our economy and resilience.

The Draft Spatial Planning Note further focuses on a strong agricultural sector and careful management of agricultural land. This goes hand in hand with strengthening nature, combining nature with other functions, and improving water quality. The more erratic climate also requires space for water retention and storage. To keep our country safe in the future, we must reserve sufficient space around the major rivers and water bodies to cope with rising sea levels and more extreme weather conditions.

The cabinet aims to send the Draft Spatial Planning Note to the House at the end of September; together with the outcomes of the EIA. The draft will then also be formally made available for inspection so that everyone can respond to the proposed choices.