To prevent the quality of nature in North Brabant from further deteriorating, the province will temporarily stop granting 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 each province must conduct regarding the quality of nature. The research shows that the quality of nature has deteriorated, prompting the province to intervene.
Projects in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, industry, housing construction, as well as sustainability projects will temporarily not receive permits. Various procurement projects have already been halted. The province is still mapping out the precise consequences of the decision.
How long the permit freeze will last is still unclear. Deputy Hagar Roijackers (GroenLinks) emphasizes that all sectors will be affected and refers to the findings of the research as “the new reality.” The province of Brabant will not wait for the official assessment of the nature goal analysis by the Ecological Authority.
‘This is how the whole country will be locked down’
The Southern Agricultural and Horticultural Organization (ZLTO) has expressed its astonishment at the province’s decision to the regional broadcaster. “This is how all of Brabant will be locked down,” says Hendrik Hoeksema from 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 is how the whole country will be locked down.”
