Construction and Renovation of a Historic Building
Do you have plans to renovate your historic building, or do you have questions about your historic building or the relevant procedures? If so, please contact the cultural heritage policy advisor via the general phone number or at erfgoed@voorschoten.nl.
Protection through preservation by developing national and municipal historic landmarks and iconic buildings.
Designation under the Heritage Act (national monuments and nationally protected village landscapes)
The Municipal Executive is the competent authority for renovations to national monuments. Once a permit application has been received by the municipality, it reviews the application for admissibility. If all submission requirements are met, the municipality determines whether the standard or the extended preparatory procedure applies. If an extended procedure is required, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands must be consulted. The Agency acts on behalf of the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science.
- Demolition, or partial demolition of a significant nature
- a major alteration to a national monument or a significant part thereof, with consequences comparable to demolition or partial demolition of a significant nature
- reconstruction of a national historic landmark or a significant part thereof
- a change in the use of the historic monument or a significant part thereof, resulting in a change to the historic monument
Designation under the Heritage Ordinance (Municipal Monuments)
The zoning plan determines the building possibilities; the WCE committee reviews a specific building plan (application for an environmental permit) against the Explanatory Description and the Aesthetics Manual. This therefore concerns the manner in which the building plan is carried out. Unconditional approval for an addition can only be obtained by applying for an environmental permit. If a building right is included in the zoning plan, it is not a matter of “if,” but of “how” something is done.
Article 2 of the regulation stipulates that in applying the regulation—including, therefore, the granting of permits for alterations—“the function must be taken into account.” In short: use, tailored to contemporary needs, must play a major role in the assessment. Heritage policy is focused on “preservation through development.” This means that adaptations to meet contemporary needs are always possible, provided that the historic value is respected. A “modern” bathroom or kitchen can be replaced without a permit as long as the historic value is not compromised. Breaking through walls alters the structure of the building; an environmental permit must be applied for in such cases. This application will be reviewed by the Aesthetics and Cultural Heritage Committee based on the supporting description, drawings, and photographs. Maintenance is permit-free under Appendix 2 of the Environmental Law Decree, provided that the historic values are respected and the monument remains unchanged. Maintenance is permit-free under Article 2 of Appendix II of the Environmental Law Decree (BOR).
Landmark status in the zoning plan
The rules regarding permit-exempt construction set forth in Article 2 of Annex II of the BOR apply here. When granting a permit, the Aesthetics and Cultural Heritage Committee will evaluate the application based on the supporting description, drawings, and photographs. The interior is not assessed for cultural-historical value as part of a permit application.
In all cases, a demolition permit system is in place. For national monuments, this is regulated by the Heritage Act. For municipal monuments, it is regulated by the heritage ordinance, and for landmark buildings, it is regulated by the zoning plan. These regulations do not differ significantly. The essence of this demolition permit system is that a balancing of interests can be conducted when a demolition application is submitted.