PWN is the landlord of the land on which the houses are located. Recreation is allowed from April 1 to November 1. Recently, PWN has been working with tenants to find solutions against high water.
Raise houses with sand
Previous attempts at it pump out waterturned out to be just a drop in the ocean. That is why it was ultimately decided to raise the houses with sand extracted from the valley. According to PWN, a real win-win situation.
“After the extremely wet year of 2023 and 2024, we were able to combine two goals nicely,” explains project leader Koen Mathot of PWN. “We have helped nature by removing exotic species and making pools healthy again.”
“With the large amount of sand that was released, we immediately raised twenty-five rental spaces of the houses.” The remainder will go to the members of the Duinlandjesvereniging who will use it to raise their fields.
Exit wrinkle rose
Forest ranger Luc Knijnsberg from PWN adds: “There were a lot of rugose roses here, an invasive exotic species. We dug it out and sieved the sand clean. We will soon plant shrubs back here, such as the wild grosbeak and wild privet.”
“We are planting new gray willows on lower areas. They grow fast and bloom early and are therefore good for bees and other insects in early spring.”
Because the Nollen Valley in the North Holland Dune Reserve is a protected Natura 2000 area, finding a solution proved to be a difficult puzzle. “You’re not allowed to do just anything here,” says Knijnsberg. “But these measures support nature, cultural history and recreation.”
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