Zoetermeer environmental plan
An Environmental Plan states what you and what is allowed and not allowed in your area. This is currently in zoning plans, regulations, policy rules and rules of the state. The environmental plan contains rules about the physical environment. These are for example about:
- Whether and how construction or remodeling is allowed
- Whether companies may establish
- how a piece of land may be used
- Whether roads may be built
- when you need a permit
- That a structure is reviewed for appearance requirements
- How a building should be connected to electricity, gas, drinking water, heat and the sewer system
- how buildings and grounds should be accessible to emergency services, such as the fire department
- Where and how flammable substances may be stored
- where and when archaeological research is needed
- how much noise, odor and vibration may be caused
- what information and documents must be submitted when applying for a permit
The environmental plan contains rules on many other topics.
Temporary part environmental plan
Because the Environment Act will be in effect from January 1, 2024, every municipality will automatically have an environment plan. This is called the "temporary part environmental plan. You can view these rules in the temporary part of the omgevingsplan:
- zoning rules
- State rules (this is also called the dowry)
The new environmental plan
Over the next few years, we are working to move from zoning plans, ordinances, policies and rules of the state to 1 environment plan for the entire municipality. This is also called the new part of the environment plan.
The new environmental plan is empty at first. The rules in the new environmental plan are created by converting the existing rules from the zoning plans, ordinances, policies and rules of the state to the new part. In addition, the municipality also includes in the new environmental plan new rules on spatial developments made possible with an environmental permit.
The transition to the new environmental plan must be completed Jan. 1, 2032.
How to move toward a new environmental plan
The new environmental plan will be filled by area or by subject. For example, first the rules for all residential areas in Zoetermeer or the rules on the subject of noise. Usually a number of subjects or areas will be transferred to the new environmental plan at the same time.
The creation of each piece of the new environmental plan involves residents, business owners and representatives of civil society organizations. This is done in the following way.
Preliminary Environmental Plan
The first step is a preliminary environmental plan.
- The municipality prepares a preliminary draft environmental plan. This is published in the Municipal Gazette.
- The municipal bulletin tells you how and when you can respond to a preliminary environmental plan. It also states where you can view the preliminary environmental plan.
- See if the rules for your home, business or organization are correct in the preliminary environmental plan, and if not, submit a comment.
- The municipality is reviewing all responses and using them to improve the environmental plan.
- Everyone who submitted a response in time will be told what was done with it.
Draft environmental plan
The second step is a draft environmental plan.
- The municipality has incorporated the improvements into the draft environmental plan. The draft environmental plan is also published in the Municipal Gazette.
- The Municipal Gazette will tell you how and when you can submit a view on the draft environmental plan. It also states where you can view the draft environmental plan.
- See if the draft environmental plan properly incorporates the improvements in the rules for your home, business or organization, and if not, submit a view. You can also submit a view if you did not respond to the preliminary environmental plan or if you disagree that your response was not incorporated into the draft environmental plan.
- The municipality reviews all the views and makes the environmental plan even better.
- Everyone who submitted a view in time will be told what was done with it.
Adopt environmental plan
The third step is to adopt the environmental plan.
- The municipality has incorporated the improvements into the environmental plan.
- The municipality then adopts the environmental plan. The environment plan is published in the Municipal Gazette.
- 4 Weeks after the environmental plan is announced, the rules from the new part of environmental plan apply.
- Do you disagree with the environmental plan? For example, because your views have not been incorporated into the environmental plan? Then you can indicate this within 6 weeks. This is called an appeal and you can do this at the Administrative Law Division of the Council of State.
How long will it take?
Until the adoption of the environmental plan, the procedure can take up to a year and a half. This is because a procedure must be followed as stipulated by law and as agreed upon in the Zoetermeer rules on participation.
After adoption of the environmental plan by the municipality, an appeal can also be filed with the Council of State. This procedure is also time-consuming.