Environmental Plan
Since Jan. 1, 2024, the Omgevingswet has been in effect. The Omgevingswet deals with the space in which people live, work and relax. This new law merges old laws and contains rules for what can be seen, smelled and heard outside. Knowing what is allowed and whether a permit is needed is in the Omgevingsloket. In this desk you can find all rules and plans of municipalities, provinces, water boards and the state.
The Omgevingswet regulates that each municipality must make one environmental plan. The environmental plan will state how the land in an area and the buildings on it may be used. That plan must be ready by 2032. Until then, all spatial rules that the municipality made under the old laws count together as one temporary environmental plan. These are, for example, the rules from a zoning plan, amendment plan or ordinance. This temporary plan also includes government rules on activities. The rules that apply now are visible in the Omgevingsloket via Rules on the Map.
From temporary to new environmental plan
By 2032 at the latest, the municipality must have a new environmental plan ready. That new plan will be created step by step. We renew and supplement the temporary environmental plan in parts. New rules can be included for a particular location (for example, for a newly developed residential area), but also new rules that apply to the entire municipality.
In 2023, the municipality submitted a number of draft plans (zoning plan, amendment plan) for review. These plans are still handled under the old law. Once these plans are in effect, they will be part of the temporary environment plan. These plans are likely to be the first additions to the plan.
Your opinion on an environmental plan amendment
Plans by the government, a developer, you or your neighbors may be grounds for an amendment to the environmental plan. Depending on the nature and scope of the plan, it may be important to involve the surrounding area in advance. This can be done in various ways, for example by organizing a walk-in meeting. By engaging in conversation, a plan can sometimes be improved by becoming a good plan for all stakeholders instead of just for the initiator. We call this participation. When interests are conflicting, it does not always succeed in making a plan that satisfies everyone. That can also be the outcome of participation. The initiator can choose to bring the plan into the procedure anyway. It is then up to the municipality to make the final decision.
You can also give your opinion during the procedure. This is called an opinion. You must submit an opinion within 6 weeks after we have published the draft amendment. We will publish in the municipal newspaper An abridged notice will also be placed in the municipal page Sa! and on the website. The publication states how to submit views. We take all views submitted in time before an environmental plan is adopted. Do you disagree with the plan afterwards? Then you can still appeal to the Administrative Law Division of the Council of State.
Do you want to have the environmental plan amended yourself?
Want to have the environmental plan amended? Then you can submit an application to do so. However, we recommend first organizing neighborhood participation and submitting a request in principle. For more information, see the page Change environmental plan.