Plans for South Front and Land of Eel still in early stages
In 2022, a joint vision was created for the South Front and the Land of Eel in the Fortress of Hellevoetsluis.
Plans in this area require an environmental permit from Rijkswaterstaat because the Land of Eel and the South Front are located in a so-called Haringvliet restriction area. Once the permit is granted by Rijkswaterstaat, the follow-up process begins. During this follow-up process a lot has to happen: drawing up a development plan, testing building plans, an agreement with initiators, research into an adjustment of the environmental plan. For this, we will of course enter into dialogue with the environment and the city council in the follow-up process. It is also possible to submit an opinion and appeal against an environmental plan. So together we still have many steps to go through before we can talk about the realization of plans on the South Front and Land of Eel. In any case, we want to strive to improve the quality of this beautiful area.
Construction plan needed by deadline Public Works Department
This year, Rijkswaterstaat adopted the new Great Rivers Policy Line. In principle, this new policy no longer allows new construction, which is not river-related, in the area. The municipality submitted a permit application before the Policy Line came into effect, so the application is still being reviewed under the former rules. Rijkswaterstaat has given until November 1, 2025 at the latest to submit additional data with the application. In doing so, the Department of Public Works requested a construction plan. The draft building plan shown to local residents at an information meeting on Oct. 1 was prepared by the owners of the current building on the South Front to supplement the application to Rijkswaterstaat. This is certainly not yet a final building plan.
Thinking along in follow-up process
If the permit is granted by the Department of Public Works, the follow-up process will begin. During this follow-up process, a lot has to happen. For example, it is very important that the building plans cannot be properly assessed until there is insight into the way in which parking is handled. A development plan for the public area will be made for this purpose. The surrounding area will be involved in this. Also, an agreement must still be made with the initiators, studies must still be done and the environment plan must be adjusted. For this environmental plan, the environment can also still contribute ideas.
For more information, see also our page Vision South Front and Land of Eels.