The Council of State has annulled the zoning plan for nature development around the basin of the Nieuwe Drostendiep, between Sleen and Oosterhesselen. This means the plan is off the table for the time being.
The case revolves around a dairy farm in Benneveld. The municipality of Coevorden previously assumed that this farm would have little or no disadvantage from nature development, because the company’s plots are outside the project area. However, part of the land is directly adjacent to or nearby.
Further research by the STAB, an independent environmental research foundation that advises the judge, now shows that the consequences are greater than expected. Livestock farming is still faced with restrictions due to a higher and more variable groundwater level.
Due to the rewetting and slower drainage of water, the groundwater levels in the area can fluctuate more strongly. In the nature reserve itself this can amount to about 50 centimeters difference. On the farm’s meadows there are fluctuations of approximately 5 to 30 centimeters.
That seems small, but it can have major consequences for the country’s yield. Especially if, in addition to grass and corn, other crops, such as potatoes, are also grown. That is why the municipality must first investigate exactly what the consequences are. If damage is found, compensation may have to be paid.
The municipality had previously promised that farmers outside the nature reserve would not be disadvantaged by the plans.
In the meantime, phase 1 of the project, the part closest to the farm, has largely been completed. The Vechtstromen Water Board and the municipality then wanted to quickly continue with phase 2, further downstream. This has now come to a standstill due to the ruling of the Council of State.
The municipality must first draw up an adapted plan. In any case, for livestock farming, the ruling means that compensation must be reconsidered.
