Environmental Vision West Maas en Waal

The Environmental Vision West Maas en Waal outlines our long-term ambitions for the environment in which we live, work, meet, and relax. In the process of developing this future-oriented vision, input from residents, entrepreneurs, expert professionals, and council members was included.

What does the environmental vision say?

This vision outlines what we aim to achieve in our municipality in the long term and how we plan to do so. It focuses on broad policy decisions. When new spatial plans and developments arise, the municipality evaluates them against the environmental vision.

What about programs and environmental plans?

We now have an environmental vision and are working on programs and environmental plans. We’d be happy to explain exactly what these are and how they relate to one another.

1. Environmental Vision: the dot on the horizon

The " " Environmental Vision is the municipality’s plan for the future.
It addresses questions such as:

  • What do we want our community to look like in 10–20 years?
  • How can we create a pleasant and safe living environment?
  • Where is there room for housing, nature, transportation, energy, and businesses?
  • It is a guiding plan, though it does not yet include specific rules.

2. Programs: Here’s how we’ll approach it

The municipality is translating the environmental vision into action plans.
These plans outline the steps and measures needed to achieve the vision for the future.
Examples of action plans:

  • a program for climate and sustainability
  • a program for traffic and accessibility
  • a housing program

Programs outline what we will do to achieve our vision.

3. Environmental Plan: the rules that apply to everyone

The environmental plan sets out the rules governing what is and is not permitted in the municipality.
Examples:

  • Where are you allowed to build?
  • What types of business activities are permitted in an area?
  • What are the limits for noise and emissions?

These are legally binding rules for residents, businesses, and the municipality itself.

How are they related?

  1. Environmental Vision: What Do We Want as a Municipality?
  2. Programs: How are we going to do that?
  3. Environmental Plan / Regulations: What Exactly Is Allowed and Required?

Each layer becomes more concrete. This ensures that planning, implementation, and regulations all align.

Where is the infill or expansion taking place?

  • Inbreidingsverzoeken voor kleinschalige woningbouwinitiatieven (<10 woningen) zijn alleen mogelijk binnen de plangrens van het bestemmingsplan Dorpen of de verkeerskundige bebouwde kom, mits de beoogde locatie voldoet aan het uitgangspunt evenwichtige toedeling van functies aan locaties;
  • Applications for infill development for large-scale housing projects are only permitted within the infill sites designated for that purpose in the environmental vision. If there are no or insufficient opportunities for infill development, larger housing development initiatives are also possible within the expansion areas of the villages as outlined in the environmental vision, provided that the intended location complies with the principle of a balanced allocation of functions to locations.
  • We do not permit VAB housing to be built on sites within the town center following the demolition of all former agricultural buildings; however, we do permit it on the riverbank, provided that the proposed location complies with the principle of a balanced allocation of land uses.

By "balanced allocation of functions to locations" (ETFAL), we mean that there is a balance between the various functions that locations within an area can fulfill.

Where can I view the environmental vision?

You can view the environmental vision on the government website for the omgevingswet.

View the Environmental Vision

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