Area-based exemption

The Municipality of Voorne aan Zee has an area-specific exemption for bats, house sparrows and swifts for the nuclei of Hellevoetsluis, Oudenhoorn and Nieuwenhoorn.

What is an area waiver? 

Residents in the built-up areas of Hellvoetsluis, Oudenhoorn and Nieuwenhoorn can insulate their homes without having to do a bat survey. The former Hellvoetsluis municipality has already conducted these surveys and received an area-specific exemption based on them. The municipality can allow residents, individuals, VVEs and developers in Hellvoetsluis, Oudenhoorn and Nieuwenhoorn to use this exemption if they meet the Requirements of this exemption.

The area-specific exemption applies to the following activities, among others: 

  1. Demolition of buildings for new construction or development
  2. Cavity wall insulation
  3. Replacing window frames
  4. Work on the facade
  5. Work on the roof

Requirements area-specific exemption

To work under the area-specific exemption, you must comply with the Requirements of the exemption and, if possible, create new habitats for bats, house sparrows and/or swifts (when habitats are lost, such as during cavity wall insulation and demolition, this is even mandatory). The area-specific exemption currently only applies in the built-up areas of Hellevoetsluis, Oudenhoorn and Nieuwenhoorn.

If you would like to use the area-based exemption, please request more information or the Requirements from the municipality's ecologist at 14 0181 or nl

Rules for Brielle, Oostvoorne, Rockanje, Tinte, Vierpolders or Zwartewaal

The area-specific exemption was requested by the former municipality of Hellevoetsluis. As a result, this exemption currently only applies in the built-up areas of Hellevoetsluis, Oudenhoorn, and Nieuwenhoorn. In 2025, the municipality will also investigate the presence of bats, house sparrows, and swifts Voorne aan Zee other places within Voorne aan Zee . In 2026, an area-specific exemption will be requested for the entire municipality. Until this exemption is granted, residents of the other towns in Voorne aan Zee will have to investigate Voorne aan Zee whether there are any protected species present if they want to demolish, renovate, or retrofit insulation. The eDNA method can be used for cavity wall insulation. If bat DNA is found, you are not allowed to insulate and you will still need a bat survey. 

The area-specific exemption and the necessary studies are made possible with the support of the province of South Holland.