Housing construction in Opsterland

We are a rural municipality with many qualities. These are reflected in our 16 villages. We want Opsterland to remain an attractive place to live in the future. That is why we follow important developments closely. Think of the shortage in the housing market and the importance of social cohesion in villages.

We build homes that fit residents' needs

We think it is important that there is enough good housing for everyone. That is why we work together with housing corporations and other market players. Until 2030 we will build at least 670 new homes. After that, approximately 330 homes will be added until 2035.

View current housing projects

Want to know what housing projects are out there now? Then view the list or use our interactive Map. Here you will find current information about the larger housing projects in Opsterland. You can find these further down this page.

Want to know more about zoning regulations?

You can view current plans and documents available for review through the Environment Desk: Rules on the Map - Omgevingswet

Stay informed with the Housing Update

Want to stay up to date on Opsterland's housing construction news? Then sign up for our Housing Construction Update. You will then receive the latest news in your mailbox several times a year. You can sign up using the button below.

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Alderman Marcel van Opzeeland

"In the next ten years we will build a thousand new homes! And at the same time, Opsterland does remain our beautiful Opsterland."

What has been built so far?

In our Housing Vision (adopted on August 18, 2023), it was agreed that we would build approximately 1,000 new homes in Opsterland between 2022 and 2035. This number is based on the expected growth in the number of households, with an extra margin for plans that are delayed or canceled.

From 2022 to 2025, a total of 315 new homes will be added in Opsterland.

Of these:

  • 41 social housing units
  • 3 affordable homes for sale (under €250,000, costs payable by buyer)
  • 26 affordable owner-occupied homes (under €420,000, costs payable by buyer)
  • 76 affordable mid-range rental homes
  • 169 private sector owner-occupied homes (above €420,000, costs payable by buyer)

Overview of homes built per village (2022-2025)

Gorredijk

  • 73 private sector owner-occupied homes (Loevestein phase 4)
  • 26 social housing units (renovation at Compagnonstrjitte by Elkien)
  • 24 affordable owner-occupied homes (De Vrieswijck)
  • 25 private sector owner-occupied homes (De Vrieswijck)

Ureterp

  • 20 mid-rent homes (Alliade, De Knippehoeve, Selmien East)
  • 5 private sector owner-occupied homes at Weibuorren 69–71b
  • 2 private sector owner-occupied homes Fûgelliet Noord

Beetsterzwaag

  • 15 social housing units (renewal construction on Molenlaan and Lycklama à Nijeholtlaan)
  • 56 mid-rent homes (Commission Road, South East Care)
  • 7 free market condominiums (Bordena)

Lippenhuizen

  • 5 private sector owner-occupied homes at Buorsterwyk 28 (location of the former De Flecht school)
  • 1 more homes under construction

Langezwaag

  • 3 affordable homes for sale in Langezwaag Noord
  • 2 affordable homes for sale in Langezwaag Noord
  • 8 private sector owner-occupied homes in Langezwaag Noord

Jonkerslân

  • 1 private sector owner-occupied home at Fûgelsang 21

Frieschepalen

  • 5 private sector owner-occupied homes at De Skâns

Other villages and outlying area

  • 38 private sector owner-occupied homes

Demolished homes

  • Fifteen old social housing units were demolished on Molenlaan and Lycklama à Nijeholtlaan in Beetsterzwaag (by Elkien).
  • Forty old social housing units have been demolished on G. van der Zwaagstrjitte and Rindert van Zwinderen Bakkerstrjitte in Gorredijk.

Looking ahead: plans for 2026–2035

Between 2026 and 2035, approximately 856 new homes will be added.

We are already making plans for more housing than necessary. That way we take into account delays or plans that may not go forward.

We also build social housing

From 2026 to 2028, 22% of new construction will be social housing. In 2029 and 2030, this will increase to 30%, according to national agreements.

We work together to provide affordable housing for all

Together with the province, the state, housing corporations and market parties, we make concrete plans for each location. This way we ensure that there is enough housing, which is also affordable for everyone.

Housing development on the Map

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Housing projects by village

Residential portrait

We often hear that living in Opsterland is good. Of course, as a municipality, we like that and we want to keep it that way. But, as elsewhere in the country, the housing market is tight. Together with housing corporations and commercial construction companies, we as the city council want to ensure a housing supply that matches the market and is future-proof. Here we portray residents of Opsterland and ask them about their experiences living in our municipality. 

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Municipality keeps direction on major construction projects

In the coming years, many homes will be added in Opsterland. Agreements have been made about this with the Provinsje Fryslân and the State. In the municipality of Opsterland it has been agreed to realize a large part of these houses in five so-called 'key projects'. These are areas which the municipality owns in order to keep control over the development of these homes. In the municipality, these are:

  • Loevestein in Gorredijk;
  • Aylvalân in Bakkeveen;
  • Fugelliet Noord in Ureterp;
  • Kolderveen in Terwispel;
  • Langezwaag north in Langezwaag.   

Policy frameworks for housing development Opsterland

Environmental vision helps us make choices for new housing development

On July 3, 2023, the City Council adopted the environmental vision. This vision states that we want to build a future-oriented living environment.

We mainly build within villages and at five key locations

New housing construction will come primarily on five key project sites and on infill sites within existing village boundaries. That means building on sites that already belong to the village.

The Woonvisie shows how we want to live in Opsterland

On September 23, 2023, the Woonvisie was also adopted. This states how we want to further develop housing in Opsterland. According to a forecast by the province (June 2023), the number of households will grow until 2035. Therefore, we want to build approximately 1,000 homes in the coming years (until 2035).

We are working on clear planning for residential construction

We develop the plans for housing construction in a housing program. We actively develop the five key projects and build on our own land in the villages. We also receive plans from other parties. We first test these plans against the municipality's policy. Only then do we develop them further.

Process of new building plans

Even if a plan fits within the vision, we can't build right away

Does a housing plan fit the provincial environmental vision, the municipal environmental vision and the housing vision? Then we are on the right track. But that doesn't mean we can build right away. Several more steps are required.

What steps do we go through when creating a plan?

A housing project consists of several phases. Broadly speaking, we follow this process:

  1. Looking at frameworks: We examine what policies apply.
  2. Develop plan: We create an urban design sketch based on the housing brief and the site.
  3. Sharing plans: We are hosting a meeting to showcase the plans and allow local residents to participate.
  4. Finance and agreements: We calculate the plans financially and prepare agreements with interested parties.
  5. Environmental Plan Adjustment: We make sure the plan fits within the appropriate zoning and regulations.
  6. Choose builder: We select a builder or developer.
  7. Permit application: We apply for the environmental permit.
  8. Construction: Only then does construction start.

As a resident, you can participate in the process

During the development process, there are several times when you can give your opinion:

  • The first opportunity is often at an information meeting. The plans are not final then.
  • Later, when the environmental plan amendment is officially requested and available for public inspection, you can also submit a comment.

Would you like to respond?

You can read exactly how to respond under the specific plan once it is available for review.

Building for target groups (elderly/young people)

In completing the housing task, we consider how many homes are needed in the municipality for various target groups. We distinguish the target groups by stage of life but also what is affordable for our residents. 

As a result, the new construction plans consist of: 

  • Social housing;
  • Affordable housing for sale;
  • More expensive homes for sale;
  • Free lots;
  • More specific needs such as life-cycle housing and housing where you can (continue to) live with care needs. 

For each project, we look at which homes can best be added based on the task at hand.