More than two years ago, the municipality of Westerveld put a thick line through the plans for one of the largest solar parks in Drenthe. But the Northern Netherlands District Court gives the municipality a tap on its fingers because of this decision, Westerveld must re-process the application for an environmental permit for the project.
At Oude Willem, initiator Sieger East wanted to use a 47-hectare site for generating solar energy and grazing. It soon became clear to him that the municipality was not positive about the plan.
Despite that, the rejection in March 2023 came as a surprise for him. Various parties in Westerveld wanted to wait to assess the plan for Oude Willem, until the municipality had a new energy vision ready. Nevertheless, the city council voted against the arrival of the solar park, the plan would not comply with the regulations.
Groenleven, who had worked out the solar park plan for East as an operator, then decided to go to court and this week it made the company in favor. According to the court, the Commission misjudged the application for a permit for the solar park. The correct zoning plan was not used and therefore the court annulls the decision not to grant a permit. The municipality of Westerveld has to do the homework and take a new decision. In addition, the municipality must pay the costs for the corridor to court.
The fact that the municipality has to handle the permit application is very good news for initiator Oost. “This is very positive,” he says. “We actually expected this statement. The municipality used the wrong zoning plans for the testing, that was also a mess.”
According to Sieger, there is little in the way for the arrival of the solar park at Oude Willem. “As I see it, the park could come according to the zoning plan.” Whether the park will eventually come will have to be seen. “I think it is good that we will go around the table again. That seems to me the first step.”