Weighting of water interests in spatial plans (water assessment)

Are you a project developer, consultancy firm, municipality, or private individual with a new plan for a rural or urban area that involves water interests? If so, you will have to deal with the weighting of water interests. The weighting of water interests (formerly known as the water assessment) is a process that ensures that spatial plans are water-neutral and sufficiently future-proof, and that aspects such as water safety, water quality, and water quantity are guaranteed. 

Why weigh the importance of water?

It has been agreed nationally that spatial plans must actively take water interests into account. The process of weighing water interests provides insight into this. This allows you to know which procedure applies to the intended plans and which laws and regulations you need to take into account. 

In most cases, you must add a water section to the spatial plan. In this section, you describe how water management will be handled within the plan.

Various questions may arise in relation to a spatial plan. These include:

  • What water interests are there in or near the planning area and how does the spatial plan affect the water system?
  • May I build near a flood barrier, and is it possible to construct a basement?
  • What measures should I take to develop in a water-neutral way?
  • How do I deal with the rainwater that falls on the parking lot next to the new apartment complex that is to be built?
  • What measures can I take to make the water system climate-proof and robust?
  • How can I prevent water quality from deteriorating, or how can I improve it?

Environmental vision and environmental plan

The Omgevingswet came Omgevingswet force on January 1, 2024. With the implementation of the Omgevingswet , the laws and regulations governing spatial planning have changed. The Act replaces a multitude of laws and is based on an integrated approach to all aspects of the physical living environment, such as spatial planning, environmental quality, nature, soil, and water.

Environmental visions and environmental plans are replacing existing structural visions and zoning plans and are becoming important tools for municipalities. If your municipality is going to start working with these tools (or zoning plans with a broader scope), we would be happy to work with you from the outset.

Water and soil management

Although spatial planning is the responsibility of municipalities, provinces, and the national government, water authorities are important partners. Water and soil are important factors in spatial planning, including when choosing locations for construction projects. As the then Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Harbers, stated in his letter to the House of Representatives in September 2022: 

"By allowing water and soil to guide spatial planning, we in the Netherlands will be able to continue living, working, and thriving in the future, even with a different and unpredictable climate. In a safe environment, with healthy soil and sufficient clean water."

To support this, the government has developed an assessment framework for climate-adaptive built environments, which helps in choosing a construction location and identifying the challenges for water and soil. The water board uses its expertise to identify the challenges from a water management perspective and advise you on them. The water board therefore assists you at an early stage in drawing up your spatial plan. 

Digital water advice

In order to properly assess water issues, it is first and foremost important that you gain insight into the water interests that are at stake in and around your planning area. You can easily gain this insight at www.hetwateradvies.nl (formerly 'the Digital Water Test'). You will receive digital water advice that will tell you which issues are relevant to your location and need to be highlighted in the water section. 

Digital water advice

Weighing the importance of water: this is what we do

For all plans, large or small, that involve water interests, we provide input and 'test' the water section. In addition to the tasks involved in location choices (see above, under the heading Water and soil as guiding principles), we assess whether you have taken sufficient account of water interests on the basis of eight principles.

It is important to contact us at an early stage, as soon as you start making the first sketches. This has many advantages:

  • We are familiar with the most recent laws and regulations and the preconditions, and we advise you on what these mean for your spatial plan.
  • We proactively contribute ideas about opportunities and creative solutions for spatial developments.
  • We take into account the physical environment and climate change, making your plan future-proof.
  • The process runs more smoothly because you know from the outset what you need to take into account and there are no more surprises when it comes to the permit application.

Good to know

When developing spatial plans, you will have to deal with various laws, regulations, and policies.

Contact

Do you have questions about the weighting of water interests, digital water advice (water assessment), or submitting a spatial plan? If so, please send an email to info@hhnk.nl or call 072 582 8282. You can also contact the regional advisor for your region (see the download at the bottom of this page). 

Please note!

A fully executed assessment of water interests is not the same as a permit application. The necessity and content of an Environmental Permit for Water Activities (formerly Water Permit) is derived from the Water Board Regulations. For more information, see the Permits page. You can also ask a specific question via our contact form or by calling our general telephone number 072- 582 282.

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