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 applied for 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 examine the other places within Voorne aan Zee for the presence of bats and then apply for an area-specific exemption for them. Until then, residents of the other nuclei in Voorne aan Zee Zee will have to have their own research conducted to ensure that no protected species are present if they wish to demolish, rebuild or post-insulate. The eDNA method can be used for cavity wall insulation. If bat DNA is found, you may not insulate and still need a bat survey.