Sustainable renovation without fuss: new rules of the game for the Water Neighborhood
On September 24, alderman Bouke Velzen (sustainability) handed over the brochure of the Image Quality Plan for the Waterbuurt to John de Ronde and Gerard Hacquebard (VBEL: Vereniging Bewonerscollectief Energietransitie Laagbouwwoningen) and Raoul Heij (housing corporation Vidomes). What is new about this plan is that residents, Vidomes and the municipality of Zoetermeer have together drawn up the rules for sustainably modifying the outside of the house. The brochure contains clear rules, for example for placing a heat pump integrated in a dormer. So residents know exactly what the possibilities are.
Step by step to easier sustainability
The rules are being implemented step by step. If residents now apply for a permit to make sustainable modifications to their home, it will be processed more quickly. The plan is that from the end of 2026 these policy rules will be included in the environmental plan and the modifications will then even be permit-free. Then residents will no longer have to apply for a permit to make the house sustainable according to the plan.
Why this plan?
Rules about modifying a home are not always familiar and can sometimes seem unnecessary. Yet everyone wants to live in a pleasant and beautiful neighborhood. With these clear rules we ensure that the Waterbuurt retains its character and that residents can make sustainable adjustments to their homes more easily. The plan therefore also benefits the appearance of the neighborhood!
Alderman Bouke Velzen (sustainability) says: "With this plan we make it much easier for residents of the Waterbuurt to make their homes more sustainable. You now know exactly what is possible, it will save paperwork and the plan could save more than 300 permit applications in the future! So we are working together on a smoother approach, making home preservation a lot easier."
John de Ronde and Gerard Hacquebard VBEL) endorse this. John: "Super nice that we now have rules about this otherwise you get a proliferation of air conditioners and heat pumps." Gerard: "I've lived here for so many years, kids grew up here, we live here wonderfully! We have known each other since the neighborhood was built and great that we are future-proofing the neighborhood for many years to come!"
Raoul Heij (housing corporation Vidomes); "I think it is very cool that we are doing something unique in the Netherlands and that too together with a delegation of homeowners and tenants!"
Questions?
Have questions? Contact the municipality or visit www.energieloketzoetermeer.nl for advice and grants.
