Pre-consultation

If you want to build something, you can first consult whether you need permission (an environmental permit) from the municipality and what you need to do so. This is called preliminary consultation. The municipality then looks at the plan for the area where you want to build. That plan is called an environmental plan.

How does it work?

If you have plans to build, it may not fit into the applicable environmental plan. In some cases, the municipality may still be able to cooperate with your conceived plan. You can submit a preliminary consultation for this as well. 

For example, you can think of one of the following situations:

  • You want to live in a building that has a business function
  • You want to use a piece of public space as a garden
  • You want to start a hotel, restaurant or bed & breakfast in your home
  • You want to use your property as a store, office, business, factory or warehouse
  • You want to use your meadow as a campground, festival site or landing site

After your plan comes in, we then review whether it complies with the applicable environmental plan. If it does then you can submit an application for an environmental permit.

If your plan does not fit within the applicable environmental plan you will have to go through the VBI process (Explore, guide initiative). This means that municipal employees will first assess whether an initiative is desirable. You will then receive feedback on the advice given.

Once you have further explained your plans based on the advice, the next step in the process is the environment table. At this table, in addition to municipal employees, external parties will assess the feasibility of your plan. Based on this, too, you will receive advice about your plan. If all advisors agree with your plan, you can proceed to submit an application for an environmental permit.

What should I do?

You can submit your plan online through the environment counter website. Under the heading "explore your idea".

What do I need?

For the preliminary consultation, please provide (when applicable to your plans) the following documents: 

  • Description of ownership situation
  • A sketch drawing of the current and future desired situation with associated dimensions (length,width and height.). This includes drawings of all facades of what the structure you wish to build and the facades of buildings adjacent to it. In addition, you provide drawings of details that define the face of the structure
  • Photos of the existing situation and the buildings next to it 
  • A description of your plans
  • An outline of the material and colors you want to use on the exterior 
  • A drawing showing changes (demolition drawing)

Costs

DescriptionCosts
Pre-consultation€ 308,40

Price changes and typographical errors reserved.

Higher rates may apply in complex cases. 

If after a preliminary consultation you apply for an environmental permit for the same plan with the same activities dealt with in the preliminary consultation, in many cases this is offset against the fees charged for the permit application. Requirements apply for this. The application for an environmental permit must then:

  • correspond to the outcome of the preliminary consultation and
  • be made within 6 months of the last preliminary consultation or notification.

How long does it take?

We strive to be able to provide an opinion within eight weeks at the latest after you have submitted the preliminary consultation. You will then have a clear picture of the feasibility of your application and any Requirements your application must meet. For more complex applications, the processing may take a little longer. In those cases you will receive a clear and substantiated answer from us about the desirability and feasibility of the initiative.