Heldair II, the second solar park that Den Helder will receive, will be twice as large as the first Heldair solar park and the city council has nothing to say about it. The council brought this upon itself when it agreed last year that the council could make its own decisions on certain matters without interference from the council.
In practice, this means that if a zoning plan of a proposal changes, the municipal executive can make a decision itself without asking the municipal council for its opinion. She also does not have to do this if an objection has been received from residents.
Last year this regulation was changed. Before that it was already the case the Municipal Executive could approve environmental permits without consultation, so that the waiting time would be shorter. This scheme had been in place since 2011. But then an important condition was that if there were objections from the residents, the plan would still be sent to the council. That condition has been removed since last year.
less positive
City councilor Robert Bak of the CDA shows in council questions that he is now less positive about the plan, media partner writes North Head Region. “After the realization of a number of solar parks in our municipality, we actually find a solar park of limited added value for the landscape. We also see the development that land is becoming increasingly scarce when we look at the land needs for housing and agriculture.”
The CDA prefers to see solar panels on roofs. The spatial impact of the solar park is great: “The surface area is comparable to neighborhoods such as the Gulfstroombuurt, Indische Buurt-Zuid or the Deltabuurt.” Like Heldair, Heldair II will be licensed for a period of 25 years.
And although the council may be dissatisfied with it, the college has the last word.