Activiteitenlijst verplichte participatie Groningen – Mandatory Participation List for Out-of-Plan Activities
The Activiteitenlijst verplichte participatie is a regulatory document issued by the Gemeente Groningen in the Netherlands. Established by the municipal council under the authority of Article 16.55, paragraph 7 of the Omgevingswet (Environment Act), this list designates specific activities for which participation and consultation with third parties are legally required. The regulation has been in effect since March 22, 2024, and serves as a formal framework for assessing buitenplanse omgevingsplanactiviteiten (out-of-plan environment plan activities).
The document categorises fourteen distinct types of spatial developments, ranging from residential expansions and infill projects to large-scale infrastructure and environmental changes. It outlines the specific thresholds and conditions under which a permit applicant must demonstrate that third-party participation has occurred. This includes detailed criteria for housing in small villages, agricultural expansions, mobile telecommunications infrastructure, and sustainable energy projects such as wind turbines and solar parks.
The following sections detail the specific categories of activities and the definitions used by the Gemeente Groningen to determine the necessity of mandatory participation during the permit application process.
Residential and Infill Development Categories
The list specifies several residential activities that trigger mandatory participation, focusing on both existing structures and new developments within established village structures.
- Existing Buildings (Category A): Renewal, alteration, enlargement, expansion, replacement, or change of use for dwellings and bijbehorende bouwwerken (annexes), where replacement does not occur at the same location.
- New Housing in Small Villages (Category B): Projects in villages with fewer than 5,000 residents involving organische groei (organic growth) of more than 2 houses.
- Recreational Dwellings (Category C): The use of a recreational dwelling for permanent habitation.
- Infill Projects (Category F): Construction of houses or other buildings to fill existing open spots within a established building structure.
Agricultural and Industrial Projects
Specific industrial and agricultural activities are designated, particularly those that alter the physical footprint or usage of existing sites.
- Second Agricultural Service Dwelling (Category D): Establishing a second service house for an existing, designated agricultural business.
- Agricultural Plot Adjustments (Category E): Changing the building block boundaries of an existing agricultural business that increases the total plot area.
- Industrial Buildings (Category G): Construction, renewal, alteration, or expansion of business buildings on existing designated industrial estates.
Public Infrastructure and Energy
Developments affecting public space, communication networks, and energy transition require participation based on specific technical thresholds.
- Mobile Telecommunications (Category I): Construction of masts and installations where three criteria are met: the site exceeds 100 m2, the structures are taller than 5 meters from ground level, and the mast height exceeds 40 meters.
- Sustainable Energy (Category L): Applications for energy provisions such as solar fields, wind turbines, and biogas installations, both within and outside built-up areas.
- Small-scale Buildings (Category J): Kiosks, pavilions, and small structures for retail, catering, or cultural events in public spaces.
- Vessels (Category K): Establishing berths for vessels, including houseboats (woonschepen).
Social Facilities and Environment
The document defines mandatory participation for social infrastructure and activities with a significant impact on local green space and recreation.
- Social Facilities (Category H): Buildings for welfare, healthcare, culture, education, sports, and public administration.
- Tree Felling (Category M): Felling more than 20 trees or felling a single monumental tree.
- Sports and Recreation (Category N): Expanding the surface area of sports fields, recreation grounds, or cemeteries where the building scale does not align with the surrounding terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is participation mandatory for housing projects in small villages in Groningen?
Participation is mandatory in villages with fewer than 5,000 residents if the project involves organic growth of more than two houses.
What are the criteria for mandatory participation regarding mobile telecom masts?
Participation is required if the associated terrain is larger than 100 m2, the structure is higher than 5 meters from ground level, AND the mast height exceeds 40 meters.
Does moving a house to a different spot on the same plot require participation?
According to Category A, renewal or replacement requires participation if the replacement construction does not take place at the exact same location.
Is participation required for felling a single tree?
Participation is only mandatory if it is a monumental tree or if more than 20 trees are being felled simultaneously.
What counts as a social facility under this regulation?
This includes facilities for welfare, care, public health, culture, media, religion, education, sports, childcare, and public administration.
Is participation necessary for solar parks or wind turbines?
Yes, Category L explicitly requires participation for sustainable energy provisions including solar fields, wind turbines, and biogas installations.
