220,000 extra homes in the Northern Netherlands too ambitious
The plan to build 220,000 new homes in the Northern Netherlands in exchange for extra railway lines is too ambitious. This is what researchers from five consultancies say in a joint report.
Ten months ago, Drenthe, Friesland, Groningen and Flevoland came out with a proposal. In order to partly remedy the spatial housing shortage in our country, the four provinces were prepared to build a lot of extra housing within their borders. But good in exchange for better train connections.
Just under 95,000
The national government interviewed five in the plan and, together with the four provinces, engaged consultancies for a follow-up study. The main conclusion of Decisio, MUST, TwynstraGude, MOVE Mobility and Sweco: 220,000 additional homes in the Northern Netherlands are expected to be built.
“Based on current relocation trends and the forecasts of housing shortages, the numbers mentioned by the four provinces are very ambitious,” the researchers write in their final report – presented to their clients that month.
Instead of 220,000 additional homes, the consultancy firms estimate that they will build between 25,000 new homes over time. And in conjunction that number is still 10% to 25% higher, the researchers say, this would result in just 95,000 extra homes. A big difference all in all.
Investing in prosperity growth
Nelleke Vedelaar – member of the Provincial Executive of the province of Drenthe (PvdA) – informed RTV Drenthe that the plans to build 220,000 extra homes in the four provinces were perhaps a bit too ambitious. Nevertheless, the report also contains a hopeful conclusion, she says.
“This research shows that when you build extra railway lines, there is an increase in prosperity in the four successful provinces. It is therefore time for The Hague to look closely at the prosperity and interests of the people who live here.”
A survey by Berenschot, composed of the four provinces based their designs, elaborated on those shown. According to that study, additional train connections add about €24 billion to the cumulative gross regional product of the four provinces. While the costs amount to €9.5 billion.
Apply for European support
The coalition agreement states that the current cabinet has reserved €3.0 billion for the extra railway lines in the north. The remaining euros must be collected by the provinces themselves. For example, by knocking on the door of the European Union (EU). But that is easier done than done.
In addition to the fact that lobbying is required for a lot of work, such subsidies by the EU as a rule only require at least two for the construction of a train route. The five offices therefore recommend that you consider options for collaborating with regions in Germany.