Dutch cabinet targets faster construction of 25,000 homes in four provinces

The Dutch government wants to speed up construction of about 25,000 homes across Zeeland, North Brabant, South Holland and Drenthe, with the projects due to be completed by 2040 or earlier, Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan told parliament.

The plans cover up to 6,000 homes in Middelburg, Vlissingen and the area between them; about 6,000 in Roosendaal; 3,500 in Best; about 6,000 in Assen; and roughly 6,000 in the proposed village of Cortelande, in South Holland.

This is the second announcement of sites where the government wants housing plans accelerated. The first covered five locations, with faster construction planned through 2035. The cabinet is not providing extra funding for infrastructure for either project, the minister said, because it is not needed at these sites.

Cortelande is planned for the Zuidplaspolder between Gouda and Rotterdam, where 8,000 homes are proposed. The regional water authority and the infrastructure ministry had appealed against the development, citing concerns about safety in the polder, which lies 6.78 metres below sea level. Both appeals have since been withdrawn following discussions about the plans.

Some of the land earmarked for housing is occupied by businesses. Boekholt-O’Sullivan wants to make arrangements with them and find comparable space elsewhere.