Flex homes Van Leeuwenhoekweg Hellevoetsluis

Right now we are still in the research phase. We are going through a number of steps in this research phase. We are looking at what suits this place in terms of the type of housing, but also the design of the outdoor space. We are also looking at what procedures we need to follow. And we need to know what environmental requirements the location must meet in order to place housing there. The first survey results have been received and show that the requirements can probably be met.

On November 12, there was an open house for local residents. We provided an update on the latest developments in the project. Local residents also shared their concerns about the addition of 100 homes in their neighborhood. A report was made of this open house and the responses. You can read it under the heading "Report on the open house on November 12." The images of the plan as shown at the open house can be requested by email: nl.

We want to take all reactions into account as much as possible in the adaptation and further elaboration of the plan. Local residents will again be informed of the result.

The area now has no residential zoning. If we want to make "living" possible there, we must first regulate this with a spatial procedure for an "out-of-plan environmental plan activity. In that procedure there are also possibilities to give a formal reaction (view) to the plan. We will start this spatial procedure once we have completed the investigations (including participation with stakeholders).

After completing the spatial procedure, we may start building. It is difficult to give a planning for this because we do not yet know, for example, what reactions there will be in the participation round and whether formal objections will be made during the spatial procedure. However, to give an idea of when the houses can be built, we have made a global planning: 

• Until early 2026, we are working on all the preparations.
• Then the procedure, which takes at least six months, probably longer, begins.
• Then we will build the homes and furnish the site with greenery and parking.
• Together, this will take at least another year.

We commissioned an initial urban design to see what is possible on this site. This resulted in a concept design that assumes different housing types, parking spaces, a green area and the realization of sufficient water. In addition, space has been made for 8 new trailer sites. We have a legal obligation to provide these additional caravan sites. There is also a shortage of housing among this target group. Since there are already caravan sites in the area, we see this location as an opportunity to meet our task.

On November 12, 2025, the municipality held a walk-in meeting about the Van Leeuwenhoekweg project. Residents of the surrounding streets and businesses bordering the planning area were invited to attend. Approximately 150 interested parties were present. They were able to view the plan, ask questions, and provide feedback on the plan. 

The plan presented is not a final product. Not all of the questions and comments submitted can be answered in this report. Some of the information gathered will be used in the coming months to improve the plan as it is developed. Below is a summary of the points discussed and the answers currently available for each topic.

General comments on the plan

The opinions of visitors during the evening differed. Many residents indicated that they did not want any housing at all or felt that the number of homes planned for this location was too high. They had chosen this neighborhood precisely because of its tranquility, greenery, and safe environment for their children. The plan was perceived as poor and undesirable, with the recommendation to find another location and transform the area into a green nature reserve or forest ("De Leeuwenhoek"). The municipality acknowledges these diverse concerns and wishes as valuable input for the next steps.

Although the majority of visitors had concerns about the plans to a greater or lesser extent, there were also visitors who had no comments and even hoped that construction would take place quickly.

Response from the municipality

It is understandable that residents have objections to the housing plan in their neighborhood, due to the impact on peace and quiet, green spaces, and the living environment. We acknowledge these concerns. During the planning process, careful consideration will be given to the location, the number of homes, and the design of the public space, with attention to green spaces, play facilities, and a safe living environment for children. The municipality strives to take the concerns expressed by local residents into account as much as possible in the further development of the plan. Where possible, measures will be taken to limit the impact on the neighborhood and preserve green structures. 

Only local residents were invited to the open evening. It is precisely this group of stakeholders who are particularly concerned about the negative effects of the housing plan. The municipality is seeking to strike a balance between the need for new housing and the impact on the living environment of existing homes and obstacles for existing businesses. This location on Van Leeuwenhoekweg is one of the few vacant sites available within the urban area. In 2023, the municipal council gave the go-ahead to make the construction of homes possible.

Impact on existing businesses

Companies are concerned about the housing plans: they believe that the legal distance to residential areas is insufficient. Homes should be located further away to prevent nuisance. Companies would prefer to see the area as an extension of the current industrial estate.

Response from the municipality

The plan takes into account the applicable legal safety and distance standards between homes and businesses. In addition, careful consideration is given to the location and layout of homes, so that both existing businesses and new residents can carry out their activities safely and responsibly. Maintaining sufficient industrial areas in the municipality remains an important focus.

Fire Safety

Concerns have been raised about the risk of fire between commercial buildings and homes, citing the fire that occurred in this neighborhood in May as an example. It has also been suggested that the exit routes be reviewed in case of emergencies, as many residents only have one way to leave the neighborhood.

Response from the municipality

The municipality takes fire safety in the planning area very seriously. The location of homes in relation to commercial buildings and existing risks is taken into account in the elaboration of the plan. In the further elaboration, safety services such as the fire department will advise on the safety risks of the plan. The advice will be incorporated into the elaboration of the plan. In addition, the situation of the emergency routes in the area will be taken into account.

Composition of the neighborhood

Residents are asking for clear and honest information about who will be living in the new neighborhood. There is a need for insight into the composition of the neighborhood. It is emphasized that previous communication was unclear, resulting in different stories circulating. People do not want an asylum seekers' center and are concerned about the distribution between status holders, emergency seekers, and local house hunters. There are concerns that new residents may cause nuisance in the neighborhood, as is already the case at the corner of Orion. Extra crowds, loitering youths, and/or unemployed people can disrupt the living environment and create a feeling of insecurity. People want clear agreements on the prevention of nuisance and guarantees for local first-time buyers and families.

Response from the municipality

The municipality understands that there has been some confusion about the target groups. The municipality is considering abandoning the previous plan for temporary housing and building permanent homes instead. The reason for this is that demand is expected to remain high in 15 years' time and there is no reason to remove the homes at that point. The target groups are also being considered differently than previously communicated. The municipality previously wanted to give priority to certain target groups, but if the homes are permanent, they will no longer be built specifically for people in urgent need of housing. They will then be rented out according to the normal rules for (social) rental housing. No final decisions have been made yet. The homes are intended for small households.

Noise pollution

There are concerns about possible noise pollution from the homes to the existing environment.

Response from the municipality 

There are no distance rules regarding noise between homes. As the plan is further developed, an acoustic study will be conducted to assess the extent to which noise contours from the businesses will interfere with the new homes. Measures will be taken based on the results.

Greenery and natural value

There is concern about poorly maintained green spaces and people want to preserve the green buffer on the earthen embankment with its trees and green strips. There are also concerns about the loss of nature and the impact on flora and fauna, such as woodpeckers, birds of prey, hedgehogs, and bats. It is hoped that existing trees will be preserved and not immediately replaced by young plants. The following alternative suggestions have been made: a park, playground, or walking area with trees retained as a separation from the neighborhood.

Response from the municipality 

The municipality shares the desire to preserve as much greenery as possible. In the further elaboration of the plan, special attention will be paid to the maintenance and preservation of existing trees, green buffers, and green strips, including the green buffer on the earthen embankment. In addition, the impact on flora and fauna will be carefully studied, with attention to species such as woodpeckers, birds of prey, hedgehogs, and bats. Where possible, existing mature vegetation will be preserved. New planting will be carefully coordinated to ensure ecological value and preserve the living environment for both residents and animals. Attention is also being paid to providing sufficient play areas for children and creating an attractive, safe, and functional public space. Preferably, the new neighborhood can contribute something to the district, such as an extra play area or a walking path.

Traffic and parking

Concerns have been raised about the plan's accessibility by car and the additional traffic pressure on surrounding roads. There are concerns about the traffic safety of pedestrians and cyclists. There are concerns that the plan does not provide enough parking spaces. The current number of parking spaces is insufficient for the new homes, which will put additional pressure on the existing neighborhood.

Response from the municipality

We are carefully investigating traffic safety and parking. We are looking at the capacity of all surrounding roads, including routes for construction traffic, and the traffic generated by the new homes. We assume that the roads have sufficient capacity to handle the extra traffic safely and efficiently. Access for cyclists and pedestrians will be further developed, with attention to traffic safety and safe crossings. The plan takes into account the prevention of car traffic through the neighborhood.

With regard to parking, the municipality is taking the reports of parking pressure in the surrounding neighborhood seriously and is considering how to take this into account in the plan. The starting point is that the parking standard associated with the intended housing type will be used to determine the number of parking spaces. This will be reassessed now that permanent housing is involved.

Participation

It has been indicated that people are receiving limited and contradictory information. Residents feel that their voices are not being heard: plans have been changed (flexible housing became social housing) without communication, and previous public consultation has come to a standstill. There is a need for a single central plenary evening with clear reporting, a single point of contact, and honest communication.

Response from the municipality 

We will take this feedback into account to improve our provision of information and participation. The concerns and objections raised during the information evening have been incorporated into this report. The municipality will take the input from local residents into account in adjustments and further elaboration of the plan. Before the formal permit procedure begins, residents will be involved in the final plan and the changes that have been made. Depending on the nature of the changes, the municipality will choose the most appropriate form of participation. In addition, the municipal webpage on voorneaanzee.nl the Van Leeuwenhoekweg project will be kept up to date to keep stakeholders well informed.

Planning damage

There are concerns about planning damage and how the municipality is dealing with this.

Response from the municipality

The municipality applies the statutory rules for compensation for damage. Local residents who believe that the planning process will cause financial damage to the value of their home or business can submit a claim for planning damage to the municipality. This claim will be carefully assessed on the basis of objective criteria, such as changes in the residential or living environment, depreciation of the property, and the applicable laws and regulations.

Start of construction 

The question is about the construction speed: how quickly can it be realized?

Response from the municipality

The aim is to start construction in early 2027. This depends on the finalization of the design and the permit procedure.

Water management

Concerns have been raised about water drainage and flooding within the plan, especially in relation to the mobile homes. Water cannot drain away sufficiently, and culverts and drainage to surrounding ditches are critical. Water management is not only an important consideration for the plan area, but also for the existing homes and businesses in the surrounding area. The plan area currently serves as a water buffer, which must be safeguarded if homes are built there.

Response from the municipality

Residents' input regarding poor water drainage will be investigated further and discussed with the Water Board. The plan provides for adequate drainage via culverts, ditches, infiltration areas, and other facilities to prevent flooding of homes, terraces, storage areas, and mobile homes. The presence and capacity of water buffers will also be carefully ensured to accommodate peak rainfall and extreme precipitation. The municipality is working with water managers and consultants to ensure that the plan complies with applicable regulations and that both current and new residents are protected against flooding.

Suggestions for the type of housing

There are concerns that too many homes will disturb the peace and quiet. Preference has been given to senior citizen housing, single-story bungalows, or a courtyard, rather than social housing. It has also been proposed to opt for a combination of owner-occupied and rental homes without high-rise buildings, and to spread flexible housing more evenly across the municipality.

Response from the municipality

The municipality realizes that there is a need for housing in multiple categories, but prefers to build social housing here. There is a great need for affordable rental housing. There will be no high-rise buildings; the maximum height is three stories. The municipality is also looking at other locations for the construction of flexible housing. Many homes are needed.

Mobile home sites

Specific questions have been asked about the new mobile home sites, relating to the layout of the mobile home park and the allocation and costs. These questions will be answered separately for interested future users.

What are the next steps?

The municipality will take the information gathered into account in its further planning and remains open to questions and suggestions. Together, we will work on a plan that best accommodates the various interests. The comments from local residents will be weighed up together with input from other stakeholders. This may lead to proposals for amendments to the plan. Once a decision has been made, this will be communicated back to the stakeholders.

Appendix

The images of the plan as shown at the open house can be requested by email: nl.