The province is working on a new approach for a healthy living environment, the policy framework Healthy Living Environment.

Through this policy framework, the province and other authorities pay extra attention to health and the environment in plans for housing, businesses, roads, and green spaces. Think of health as clean air and low noise, and environment as less pollution. 

Environmental Law 

The policy framework is important because since 2024 the Environmental Law has been in effect. This law ensures that authorities, businesses, and residents collaborate better on plans for the living environment. Previously, there were many different rules for construction, environment, and nature. That was complicated and time-consuming.

With the introduction of the Environmental Law, it is simpler: 

  • Everything is regulated in one law (less paperwork)
  • Better consultation between municipality, province, businesses, and residents
  • Health and environment are considered earlier in plans 

Working Visit: Learning from Practice 

To make this plan good and realistic, members of the Provincial States went on a working visit on October 16 to Opperdoes and Beverwijk. There they spoke with residents, entrepreneurs, farmers, builders, experts, and the Public Health Service (GGD). They visited these places specifically because many interests come together here. Not all wishes can be met. Therefore, this requires political choices. Members of the Provincial States face dilemmas when assessing the policy framework for a healthy living environment. 

Difficult choices include: 

  • Housing versus environmental pressure: How do you build enough houses in an area with industry, noise, and traffic?
  • Landscape versus livability: How do you protect nature areas while also needing housing?
  • Economy versus health: How do you maintain jobs and businesses without compromising clean air and a safe environment? 

The discussions with noise and environmental experts, entrepreneurs, administrators, and residents in Opperdoes and Beverwijk help the Provincial States shape the policy framework Healthy Living Environment.

Opperdoes 

In Opperdoes (village in the municipality of Medemblik), work is underway on the Soppediep housing development. This is currently agricultural land. The municipality of Medemblik wants to grant permission to builders to build 190 houses . During the working visit, members of the Provincial States spoke among others with the village council of Opperdoes. The members of the village council want the houses to be built. They notice that residents lack housing. Because there are too few people living there, more and more facilities such as the supermarket, school, and ATM are disappearing, they indicated. On the other hand, there are farmers who fear that with the arrival of new houses, complaints about their businesses will increase. For example, about noise nuisance or the use of crop protection products. 

3500 More Houses in Beverwijk? 

At De Bazaar in Beverwijk, housing, businesses, and traffic come together. De Bazaar is a large (mostly) covered market in Beverwijk. The company wants to build 3500 houses on the markets parking lots, with a parking garage. This new neighborhood will be called Bazaarstad, and the municipality of Beverwijk is in favor . However, the Provincial Executive of North Holland has sent a viewpoint in the form of a letter to the municipality of Beverwijk expressing concerns about this plan. These concerns include how new residents can live healthily while businesses in the area around De Bazaar remain important. Next to De Bazaar is also the industrial area De Pijp where many companies are located.  

Next Steps for Provincial States 

The Provincial States decide on the policy framework Healthy Living Environment. The Provincial Executive then elaborates this into a step-by-step plan. The program is planned to be ready in 2026. 

Share Your Opinion 

Currently, there is also a participation program about the use of space in North Holland. Every resident can give their opinion through this program, via choices, about how space can be used. These opinions are taken into account by the Provincial Executive and Provincial States in their choices for the healthy living environment. 

Questions or ideas about a healthy living environment in your neighborhood? Let us know via https://jouwnoord-holland.nl/jouwruimte/ . This is possible until December 2, 2025.