To prevent the quality of nature in North Brabant from further deteriorating, the province is temporarily halting the granting of permits that lead to additional nitrogen emissions in Natura 2000 areas. This is reported by Omroep Brabant.
The reason for the decision is the results of a so-called nature goal analysis. This is the research that every province must conduct regarding nature quality. The research indicates that the quality of nature has deteriorated, prompting the province to take action.
Projects in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, industry, housing, as well as sustainability projects will temporarily not receive permits. Various tender projects have already been halted. The province is still mapping out the precise consequences of the decision.
It is still unclear how long the permit freeze will last. Provincial executive Hagar Roijackers (GroenLinks) emphasizes that all sectors will be affected and describes the findings of the research as "the new reality." The province of Brabant is therefore not waiting for the official assessment of the nature goal analysis by the Ecological Authority.
'This will lock down the whole country'
The Southern Agriculture and Horticulture Organization (ZLTO) has expressed its astonishment at the province's decision to the regional broadcaster. "This will lock down all of Brabant," says Hendrik Hoeksema of ZLTO.
He fears that Brabant is just the beginning. "The other provinces will soon come out with their nature goal analysis. Most likely, the areas there have also deteriorated. What will they do then? They cannot lag behind. This will lock down the whole country."
