Residential building Van Aalstlaan 24

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Next step for the Karakter construction plan

The municipality is taking the next step in the preparation of the Karakter housing project. board of mayor and aldermen has decided to grant a felling permit subject to conditions. Normally, such a permit may only be used once all objection and appeal procedures for the building plan have been completed. The Municipal Executive wishes to deviate from this in this case to prevent delays in housing construction.

A total of 167 homes will be built for the Karakter project, including 50 social rental homes by Vidomes. Before construction can start, the municipality must prepare the area for building. This means that trees and greenery must be removed first. After that, cables and pipes can be relocated and the site can be prepared for construction.

Felling permit subject to conditions

The municipality grants the felling permit if strict requirements are met. By doing so, the municipality aims to prevent trees from being removed only for the project ultimately not to proceed.

• An important condition is that the project developer and Vidomes must first make a final decision demonstrating that the construction plan is financially feasible and will actually be executed.
• The project developer must have an environmental permit for the construction plan before the trees may be felled.
• The municipality must take measures to protect the endangered plant and animal species living in the area. There is a sparrowhawk nest in the area. This bird is a protected species. The municipality therefore requires a permit from the Province of South Holland to relocate the sparrowhawk.

More trees planted than removed

For the project, 38 trees must be felled, 7 trees transplanted, and part of the woodland removed. In the new plan, 44 new trees will be planted. This will ultimately add more greenery to the area. During a residents' meeting in September 2025, local residents were given an explanation of this plan to bring back the greenery that is disappearing to the area in a different way.

Staying informed about the felling permit

Once the felling permit has been granted, this will be announced in the municipal gazette on overheid.nl. This is expected to be at the end of September/beginning of October. From that moment on, it is possible to lodge an objection. The announcement states how you can do this. To stay informed about all announcements in your neighborhood, you can sign up via Messages about your Neighborhood - Around your residential address. .

Planning

• The granting of the felling permit subject to conditions is expected at the end of September/beginning of October 2026.
• If all conditions are met, the felling work is expected to start at the end of February or beginning of March 2027.
• Subsequently, cables and pipelines can be relocated starting in May 2027.
• The first preparations for the construction are provisionally scheduled from July 2027.

Housing development plan Character

The 'Karakter' plan by area developer AM consists of 117 assisted living units for seniors. There will also be 50 social rental homes. After construction, the social rental homes will be rented out by housing corporation Vidomes.

Karakter is a place where people grow old happily. The housing concept for seniors is aimed at enabling them to continue living independently for as long as possible. It will be a community that provides opportunities for social interaction, vibrancy, and collectivity. The Monuta building will be named Cornelis, after Lord of the Manor Van Aalst. Residents will soon be able to organize activities here themselves. Welfare organization Piëzo offers an active program in the crafts workshop by and for volunteers and residents of the development and the neighborhood. For more information about the 'Karakter' project or to follow the project: www.karakterzoetermeer.nl .

What came before?

The plans for housing development on Van Aalstlaan did not come about overnight. As early as 2022, local residents and other interested parties were able to contribute their ideas regarding the development of this location. Their ideas and points of concern were taken into account when further developing the plans. As a result, among other things, social housing units have been added to the project, the maximum building height has been reduced to 40 meters, and the former Monuta building will be preserved. The building will be given a new purpose that fits the residential concept of the area.

On September 30, 2025, the developer, housing corporation Vidomes, and the municipality organized an information meeting for local residents. During this meeting, visitors received further explanation regarding the construction plan, the schedule, and the future use of the Monuta building. Attention was also paid to the design of the outdoor space and the preparations required to make the area ready for construction.

Before the construction of homes, roads, and facilities can begin, work must first be carried out, such as relocating cables and pipes and preparing the construction site. This also involves the removal of trees. The municipality is applying for a felling permit for this. At the same time, a plan has been drawn up to replace the greenery that is being removed within the area in a different way. Further explanation regarding this was provided during the residents' meeting.

With these steps, work is being done on the preparation of a new living environment for seniors, with space for social interaction, greenery, and neighborhood amenities.