Vision South Front and Land of Eel

To arrive at a widely supported vision for the South Front and Land of Eel, we are working together with the surrounding area and a number of interested parties. This happens partly in a small context, with a sounding board group, and partly in a broader context, with everyone from the surrounding area who wants to think along and be informed. A sounding board group has been formed, in which residents, entrepreneurs and other (social, cultural and recreational) organizations participate.

The following groups are represented in this focus group:

• Residents Vesting (general)
• Hospitality Entrepreneurs Fortress
• Owners Association Hinderibben (naval hospital Oostkade)
• Royal Dutch Nature Society (KNNV) department Hollandse Delta
• Residents of Oostkade / IVN Nature Education
• Top Voorne
• Owners Association Main Guard (West Quay)
• Business Club New Voorne
• Residents surrounding Land of Eel
• Marketing Organization On Voorne Putten
• Residents around Veerhaven
• Hellevoetsluis Promotion Foundation
• Fishing association The Roach Canal
• Ports (Merchant Harbor)
• Defense Works Foundation
• Push Foundation
• Association for the Preservation of the Fortress
• Museum Quarter Foundation

Bureau KuiperCompagnons (consultancy and design firm for the physical environment) drew up the vision in close contact with the municipality and the surrounding area. The bureau first studied the cultural history of the area to Map the historical and landscape context. They discussed this with the sounding board group. Then the sounding board group contributed ideas about the strengths/weaknesses and contributed ideas about what they would like for the Zuidfront and Land van Paling.

Based on that input, KuiperCompagnons set to work in the spring to come up with four thematic directions. The subject of parking was also examined. Furthermore, the subject of construction received extra attention: what is and what is not suitable and possible at these locations. The thematic elaborations and questions about parking and construction were then discussed with a delegation of the city council and with the sounding board group before and after the summer vacations (2021).

On Wednesday evening, February 9, the former Hellevoetsluis City Council was updated on the process and on the input of the sounding board group. Furthermore, on the basis of all the input KuiperCompagnons worked out a train of thought for the vision. This train of thought was discussed in March 2022 with the sounding board group and on 13 April with all interested parties from Hellevoetsluis. Other authorities were also involved in the vision.

The vision has since been completed. On September 20, 2022, the college of B&W discussed the vision and the vision was available for public consultation from September 28 to October 25, 2002. Anyone could respond to the vision during that period. After the public consultation period, the final vision was again discussed by the college and then by the city council of the former municipality of Hellevoetsluis.

Everyone involved in the creation of the vision sets great store by the openness of the South Front and Land of Eel. Everyone also believes that the area can be given much more character and experience than is currently the case. At the site of Aquarius there is room for a new building with catering facilities, as an attractive eye-catcher from the water. This should not be much higher or wider than at present. The South Front should become much greener and have an attractive appearance, so that you can experience the Haringvliet much better from that spot. This also means that parking on the Zuidfront should be limited as much as possible. It is important, however, to take into account walking distances for residents of the Oostkade / Marine Hospital and people with disabilities. At the Land of Eel, opportunities are seen to carefully accommodate parking spaces. Parking and the traffic situation in the Fortress is still the subject of a separate traffic study.

The Land of Eel remains a location quite suitable for events. There could also be a new pavilion, which would include the current restroom building and transformation station. The footpath along the canal could be made more beautiful. This could become a lively canal promenade as a connection between the shopping center and the Haringvliet.

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The vision contains ground rules with inspirational images for the future. These ground rules and images offer margins for elaboration. This elaboration must be done not only by the municipality, but in cooperation with initiators. The vision therefore states that, after adoption of the vision, an action plan will be drawn up.