Beeldkwaliteitplan Tersluis – Architectural and Aesthetic Quality Framework
The Beeldkwaliteitplan Tersluis, published on January 6, 2016, serves as the primary regulatory framework for the spatial and architectural development of the Tersluis neighborhood in Meerstad. Prepared by De Zwarte Hond on behalf of Bureau Meerstad, the document acts as both an inspiration guide for architects and a formal assessment tool for the Welstandcommissie (beauty committee). Within the broader legal context, it supplements the Welstandsnota 2015 for the municipality of Slochteren (now part of Groningen), specifically replacing the general and area-specific welfare criteria for this development zone.
The scope of the document covers residential development across three distinct atmospheres: groen wonen (green living), dorps wonen (village living), and waterwonen (waterfront living). It provides detailed technical requirements for plot layouts, building volumes, and material usage. Specific sections govern diverse typologies including dijkwoningen (dike houses), drijvende woningen (floating houses), and the wierde ensemble. The plan emphasizes a cohesive neighborhood character achieved through a restricted material palette and mandatory landscaping elements such as deep front gardens and uniform hedges.
Professional users, including urban planners and developers, should refer to the specific thresholds for building heights, setbacks, and material colors defined in the following sections to ensure project compliance.
General Neighborhood Regulations
The neighborhood maintains a village-like, informal character through strict regulations on plot layout and building alignment. To prevent monotonous streetscapes, the plan mandates variations in housing types and building lines.
- Setbacks: Front gardens for terraced houses must be at least 3m deep; detached and semi-detached houses require a minimum of 5m. Any garage or annex must be situated at least 3m behind the front facade.
- Alignment: Front facades of adjacent units must have a minimum offset of 0.5m from one another.
- Parking: A minimum of 2 parking spaces must be provided per plot for detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses, excluding the garage space.
- Hedges: Mandatory beech hedges (beukenhaag) must be planted on the boundary with public space. Front garden hedges are limited to 1m height and 50cm width.
Building Form and Roof Geometry
Buildings are required to have simple, clear primary volumes, typically rectangular in base with either a flat or saddle roof. The plan permits variations in roof orientation to enhance individuality while maintaining structural harmony.
- Height Limits: For standard saddle roofs, the maximum gutter height is 7m and the maximum ridge height is 13m.
- Roof Pitch: Cross-roofs (dwarskap) must have a minimum pitch of 50 degrees. Longitudinal roofs (langskap) require a minimum of 30 degrees.
- Flat Roofs: Maximum gutter height is 7m. An additional floor is permitted if it covers no more than 60% of the footprint, reaching a maximum height of 10.5m.
- Annexes: Gutter height for outbuildings and extensions is capped at 3.5m, with a maximum ridge height of 6m.
Material Palette and Detailing
Cohesion is ensured by limiting the choice of facade and roofing materials. Facades must be constructed entirely in brick, favoring earth tones.
- Brickwork: Colors must range between red and brown. Mortar joints should be dark grey or color-matched to the brick; light-colored joints are prohibited.
- Roofing: Ceramic roof tiles in anthracite (excluding high-gloss) or natural slate are required for saddle roofs. Green roofs (mos/sedum) are permitted for flat roof structures.
- Details: Window frames and roof edges must be finished in RAL 9010 (white) or RAL 7016 (anthracite). Solar panels must be integrated carefully into the roof architecture.
Specific Development Zones
Certain areas of Tersluis follow deviate or additional rules based on their unique geographical position within the landscape.
- Dijkwoningen: Houses along the Slochterdiep must have a saddle roof. Gutter heights are permitted up to 9m and ridge heights up to 15m to compensate for the elevated dike level.
- Drijvende woningen: Floating homes must be finished entirely in wood and feature a flat roof. Max footprint for homes on peninsula heads is 120m2.
- Eilandwonen: Island homes may use reed roofing (rieten kappen) and can have a lower gutter height of 3.5m to support a rural aesthetic.
- Haven en Sluis: In the harbor area, building lines are permitted directly on the plot boundary (0m setback) to foster a compact, urban feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum front garden depth for a terraced house in Tersluis?
Terraced houses require a minimum front garden depth of 3 meters from the property boundary.
How many parking spaces are required on private property?
For most housing types, at least 2 parking spaces must be realized on the private plot, and the garage does not count toward this total.
Are flat roofs permitted for residential buildings?
Yes, flat roofs are allowed with a maximum gutter height of 7m, provided the primary building form remains simple and rectangular.
What are the allowed colors for window frames and facades?
Facades must be red-to-brown brickwork. Window frames and roof edges must be either white (RAL 9010) or anthracite (RAL 7016).
What are the height restrictions for boundary hedges?
Boundary hedges in front gardens must be exactly 1m high and 50cm wide. Hedges bordering public space behind the front building line may be between 1.6m and 2m high.
Can I build a house with a reed roof in Tersluis?
Reed roofs (rieten kappen) are permitted specifically in the Eilandwonen zone to support a rural and green character.
What is the maximum ridge height for a standard saddle roof house?
The maximum ridge height for standard saddle roof houses in the neighborhood is 13 meters.
Are integrated solar panels mandatory?
While not strictly mandatory, the plan requires that if solar panels are used, they must be integrated carefully and unobtrusively into the roof architecture.
