Environmental plan

Where in Voorschoten can homes still be built? Can I start a business at this location? Which land is designated for roads and green spaces? What environmental considerations do I need to take into account? The “ environmental plan ” compiles all the rules governing the municipality’s land use.

Krimwijk from the air

On January 1, 2024, the Spatial Planning Act ( Omgevingswet ) went into effect. This new law consolidates 26 previous laws. As of that date, the municipality is automatically required to have a Spatial Development Plan ( environmental plan). However, that plan is temporary and incomplete. The many different regulations still need to be standardized and, where possible, simplified. In addition, a great deal of information still needs to be entered into the Spatial Planning Information System ( environmental plan ), such as all zoning plans.

Policy-neutral transition

The municipality is transitioning from the temporary to the final “ environmental plan ” in a policy-neutral manner. This means that, in principle, the substance of the current set of rules will not change. However, we are adapting the format so that the rules comply with legal requirements and digital standards. We are also updating outdated language to reflect current terminology. Incidentally, the final “ environmental plan ” will continue to evolve thereafter.

Thematic and area-specific subprojects

Through January 1, 2032, the municipality will be working on the final “ environmental plan ” for the entire municipality of Voorschoten. This is a legal requirement. After all, there must be a legal framework that meets the statutory requirements. To spread the work out over the years, the municipality is working on both thematic and area-specific subprojects.

Rules on the Map

Subprojects in Progress

Solutions

The first thematic subproject concerns access roads. The municipality chose this topic because access roads are a relatively minor subject in the General Local Ordinance (APV) and can be easily integrated into the “ environmental plan.” In this subproject, we’ll examine, among other things, how the collaboration is progressing, how much time it takes, what we can handle ourselves, and what we need to outsource. That information will come in handy for subsequent subprojects.

Krimwijk

The first area-specific subproject is Krimwijk. The municipality chose this area because it is an existing residential neighborhood with considerable diversity—including various types of homes, a school, green spaces, and water features. At the same time, however, there isn’t too much development taking place there, which means the bar for establishing a sound basic framework isn’t set too high.

Planning

  1. Currently working on: Solutions

    2026

  2. Currently working on: Krimwijk

    2026

  3. Still to do: Other residential neighborhoods

    2027

  4. Still to do: centre

    2028

  5. Still to do: Rural areas , nature, and estates

    2029

  6. Still to do: Business parks

    2030

Want to know more?

Would you like to learn more about the “ environmental plan ” program offered by the municipality of Voorschoten? Call 14071 or send an email to bouwen@voorschoten.nl.

You can also subscribe to updates to the “ environmental plan.” To do so, log in to “Official Announcements” at.