The Council of State issued an interim ruling on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, regarding the Route Decision A27/A12 Ring Utrecht 2020 and 2022. This means that there is still no final judgment from the Council of State.
The Council of State has ordered the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management to rectify the identified deficiencies within 26 weeks. This allows the Council of State to eventually issue a complete final judgment on the project within this appeal process.
Question of offsetting nitrogen increase
The Council of State indicates the following: The main question is whether the offsetting (external trading) of the nitrogen increase due to the road project against a nitrogen decrease from the cessation of several agricultural businesses meets the applicable conditions. This is the main conclusion of the interim ruling of April 30, 2025. This means that it is currently unclear whether the national roads A12, A27, and A28 around Utrecht can be widened.
Motivation for compensation point
The administrative law section believes that the minister needs to better justify the compensation point. It is, after all, a question of whether old oak forests, sand drifts, and drifting sand heaths can develop at the intended compensation locations.
The minister is studying the ruling and will comply with the Council of States request within the specified period of 26 weeks, as indicated.