ENGIE’s former Centrale Gelderland coal power plant closed its doors in December 2015. It was located in the largest urban industrial site in the Netherlands. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for new developments in the field of renewable energy generation. The land use plan to be drafted for the site has been granted the experimental status of “flexible land use plan” in the framework of the Environment and Planning Act. Over Morgen was asked to help boost and shape this process.
Our solution
The ambition of both Engie and the municipality of Nijmegen is to transform the area of the ex-coal power plant into a Green Delta. Logistically, they want a smart combination of renewable energy sources and new, water-related activity in the area. In order to give room to this sustainable redevelopment of the site, ENGIE has commissioned the demolition of the coal power plant, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. Afterwards, they will need a new land use plan to allow for future developments.
As process coordinator, Over Morgen brings the different parties together and ensures that the process benefits from a well-structured cooperation and a sound approach. We want to accelerate the development of the site as much as possible. The process coordinator has organised the project in such a way as to allow land owner Engie, the municipality of Nijmegen, neighbouring municipality Beuningen and the province of Gelderland to work on an area strategy together, each in their own role and field of responsibility. This area strategy sets the basis for the land use plan.
The process coordinator also takes the lead in shaping the participation process. In this process, local players who want to be involved can bring their own ideas to the table. The challenge is always the friction between creating a pleasant living environment and giving room to the industry and large-scale energy generation (biomass, wind). The coordinator makes sure that the project is delivered in the spirit of the Environment and Planning Act. What does this mean? We involve politicians and board members right away, we encourage the municipal organisation to approach the task in its entirety and we research the practical effects of the development of the site on the environment.