To reduce residents exposure to harmful substances and nuisance, the Province of North Holland places greater emphasis on health in its policies and spatial planning choices.

The Provincial Executive (GS) has developed the Healthy Living Environment Policy Framework. GS will submit the policy framework to the Provincial Council (PS) for adoption.

The province will henceforth more actively focus on reducing emissions and nuisance from companies, provincial roads, and regional airports for which it has regulatory authority. Additionally, health will be fully considered in decisions about spatial planning, such as housing and business developments.

Health leading in choices

Jeroen Olthof, Deputy for Environment and Healthy Living Environment:
“From now on, we not only look at whether activities comply with environmental standards, but especially what they mean for health. This can influence where we allocate space for companies and where housing is allowed or not. Health thus becomes a clear factor in our considerations.”

Participation

In developing the policy framework, the province involved professional stakeholders including residents organizations, municipalities, water boards, the national government, knowledge institutions, businesses, and social organizations.

The residents of North Holland were involved through the participation process for Spatial Management. During participation, it was mentioned that focus is needed on topics where the province has legal authority and is effective. Others requested a broad interpretation of health. Specific themes mentioned and of concern include exposure to harmful substances and the impact of pesticides on the health of residents, secondary raw materials including steel slags, and landfills.

Sharp choices

For GS, this is reason to make sharp choices in the policy framework. The province focuses on areas where it has regulatory authority and on health in the physical living environment. 

Principles of the Healthy Living Environment Policy Framework

The province lists 6 principles in the policy framework for a healthy living environment:

  • The province bases itself on national laws and regulations.
  • The province focuses on companies, regional airports, and provincial roads for which it has regulatory authority.
  • The province uses its legal instruments for Permitting, Supervision, and Enforcement (VTH) where the greatest health benefits can be achieved.
  • The province measures and researches the healthy living environment only when it is possible to act and it supports the provincial interest of a healthy living environment.
  • The province focuses on areas where residents are most exposed to harmful substances and nuisance.
  • The province does not consider maximum filling of emissions up to the standard as self-evident.

Discussion and adoption by Provincial Council

The policy framework will be discussed in the Environment Committee on March 16 and adopted by the Provincial Council on March 30, 2026.

Documents

The following documents are available for download (pdf):