Hengelo and Borne crack down on vacant business plots as demand surges
Nine vacant business plots in Westermaat De Veldkamp are blocking economic growth in Twente, where space for new businesses is scarce. Local councils are now enforcing strict deadlines for owners to develop the land or risk losing it, offering hope to entrepreneurs struggling to find locations.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Westermaat De Veldkamp (border of Hengelo and Borne, Overijssel) |
| Number of vacant plots | 9 |
| Original construction deadline | Building permit application within 6 months; completion within 2 years |
| Current status | Deadlines missed; extensions granted but not all owners complied |
| New action | No further extensions; plots may be reclaimed if deadlines are not met |
| Impact on businesses | High demand for business plots in Twente; scarcity affects local economy |
The municipalities of Hengelo and Borne are responsible for managing and developing industrial estates within their jurisdictions. Their role includes ensuring that purchased plots are developed in a timely manner to support local economic growth and meet the demand for business locations.
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Colleges of Hengelo and Borne demand action from owners
Vacant plots in Westermaat De Veldkamp must be developed
On the border of Hengelo and Borne lies the Westermaat De Veldkamp industrial estate. Between 2019 and 2022, construction plots were sold to buyers with the aim of realizing new construction or expansion for businesses. Yet nine plots remain vacant, having been transferred but not developed. Potential entrepreneurs regularly express interest in these plots. The municipal councils of Hengelo and Borne now want the current owners to expedite the development of the relevant plots.
The purchase agreement includes a construction obligation. This is a condition stipulating that a building permit application must be submitted within six months of signing the notarial deed. Within two years of signing the notarial deed, the new construction must be completed and ready for use.
No further postponement
Several owners have so far failed to meet the agreed-upon deadline for completing new construction. This is not uncommon, and the municipality then enters into discussions with the owners concerned to remind them of the construction obligation in the agreement. Since the municipality of Borne also acts as a contracting party/seller of the plots within both Borne and Hengelo, it has previously granted owners extensions. Despite these extensions, not all owners have yet complied with the obligation to submit a building permit application and commence new construction or expansion. This means that on Westermaat De Veldkamp, several construction plots remain undeveloped at a time when business plots are scarce in Twente—and thus also in Hengelo and Borne.
Dialogue first
The municipal councils of Hengelo and Borne have therefore decided not to grant further extensions to owners who have not met their obligation to develop new construction. This approach may create opportunities for businesses that have long been searching for a suitable location for new construction but have been unable to find one due to the scarcity of business plots. Discussions have already taken place with several owners. During these talks, a letter was handed over outlining new deadlines by which action is expected from the owners. It is in everyone’s interest that the relevant plots be developed. If timely progress is not made, the municipalities also have the option to bring these plots back onto the market. For now, Hengelo and Borne expect a positive outcome from the discussions.