After 2 years of intensive consultation, residents of Garderen, Elspeet, Uddel, and Speuld have created a plan for the area. Together with entrepreneurs and partners, they devised ways to strengthen nature, agriculture, livability, and the economy.
Published on: 21-May-2025

In April and May 2025, municipalities, Water Board Vallei and Veluwe, and we established this area process.

More Housing and Less Nitrogen

The results are impressive:

  • There will be rental and purchase homes for young people and the elderly.
  • There is perspective for farmers.
  • New recreational opportunities will arise.
  • Biodiversity and water quality will improve.
  • And this will also lead to a 42% reduction in nitrogen emissions.

Actively Involved

What is remarkable is the way the area plan GEUS (Garderen, Elspeet, Uddel, Speuld) has come about. Residents, farmers, entrepreneurs, nature organizations, landowners, tourism organizations, and knowledge institutions have been actively involved from the beginning. In various working groups, they devised solutions that fit the challenges and opportunities in the area. This collective effort led to a plan that is feasible and supported by the area itself.

Compliments

This is the first place in the Netherlands where an area process has been built from the ground up. This shows what beautiful things can be achieved when you are willing to engage in conversation and make choices together. Compliments to residents, municipalities, and all the involved organizations for this result.

Peter Drenth

Deputy Project Area GEUS