VDL Nedcar and De Groene Sporenwolf reach agreement on nature compensation

After constructive consultations, VDL Nedcar and the Stichting De Groene Sporenwolf (DGS) have reached an agreement on an additional substantial compensation for the tree felling near the car factory in Born. VDL Nedcar will fell and transplant trees to make space for expansion. This is necessary to secure long-term employment (approximately 4,200 jobs) at the VDL site in Born, regardless of the client. As part of the environmental compensation, DGS and Stichting Ecologisch Vleermuis Onderzoek Nederland (SEVON) have withdrawn their objection procedures against the area development at the Council of State.

The objections from DGS and SEVON were the only remaining protests against the regional development for which the Limburg province had previously given the green light to VDL. With both objections withdrawn, the expansion can proceed. Now that the objections are resolved, a ruling from the Council of State is no longer necessary.

Agreed nature compensation

It has been agreed, among other things, that VDL will replant 55 trees from the Sterrebos, with a diameter of at least 40 centimeters at 150 centimeters height, in the adjacent Wolfrath area. With the replanting, this area will gain more ‘body’. Additionally, VDL will take the initiative to establish a foundation that will, among other things through green compensation, make an extra contribution to the livability in and around the residential clusters in the immediate vicinity of VDL Nedcar. Priority will be given to the expansion of the so-called ambition forest up to the edge of the residential area of Nieuwstadt, the connection of the green strip between Nieuwstadt and the Randweg with new planting, and the creation of a green corridor on the south side of Nieuwstadt. VDL will ensure a significant starting capital for the green fund to be established. The costs of the nature compensation agreed upon between VDL and DGS amount to millions of euros.

Pedestrian bridge, noise barrier, embankment

The compensation that VDL will cover goes further. VDL Nedcar will also make efforts to install a pedestrian bridge over the provincial road (N297), thereby restoring the walking route from Nieuwstadt to the Limbrichterbos. In addition, VDL Nedcar will also work on the realization of a noise barrier and a nature embankment south of Nieuwstadt, between the Nusterweg/Sittarderweg and the border.  

New nature with citizen participation

"After three years of litigation, we have achieved millions more for nature and livability through good and open discussions with VDL Nedcar," states secretary Dirkjan van der Hoven of the Stichting De Groene Sporenwolf. "A lasting collaboration like this, between company, residents, and municipalities, is also an encouragement for citizen participation. Consultation with residents will be important in the coming period for the deployment of these resources."

Transplanting large trees

René Janssen, chairman of SEVON: “SEVON regrets that, according to current policy rules, it is possible to fell such forests on old sites. Due to the additional compensation and the transplantation of large trees, the deal is an improvement compared to the previously established compensation plan by the Province of Limburg. VDL Nedcar thus demonstrates its goodwill.”

Good understanding

Director John van Soerland of VDL Nedcar: “Although we had confidence in the ruling of the Council of State, we are pleased that, before the court had to issue a verdict, we reached an agreement with the objectors. We value a good relationship with our neighbours, and the livability of the residential areas near our factory is very important to us.”

The intensive process with the province and municipalities that is set to lead to the spatial expansion of VDL Nedcar has been ongoing for 7 years. During this period, a thorough democratic decision-making process has been undertaken. All stakeholders have been involved. The importance of ecology has also weighed heavily in the process. From the start, a comprehensive nature compensation plan was chosen, which goes much further than the rules require. For clarity: the new foundation and the mentioned facilities are now being added here in collaboration with DGS. The main components of that earlier nature compensation plan are:

• Tree planting (threefold compared to the trees to be felled)
• 130 bat boxes
• New dormouse nest boxes
• New herb-rich grassland
• New fruit trees
• New beehives
• A socially, sustainably, and circularly renovated castle,
• New bicycle and walking paths which enhance the recreational character of the area.

The wood from the felled trees will be made available to, among others, schools in Limburg that provide practical education in woodworking. By having students make wooden benches, tables, hedge walls, bridges, and insect hotels, an attempt is being made to give the cut timber a sustainable new purpose in and around the Wolfrath recreation area and on the grounds of VDL Nedcar. 

Livability

With the previously largely implemented nature compensation plan combined with the additional measures to be taken, efforts are being made to improve the livability of the neighbors of VDL Nedcar. DGS and VDL Nedcar will invite the municipalities of Sittard-Geleen and Echt-Susteren to join the board of the newly established foundation. 

About VDL Nedcar

VDL Nedcar in Born is an independent car manufacturer that produces cars on behalf of third parties. It is the only major car factory in the Netherlands that has been part of the family-owned company VDL Groep in Eindhoven since late 2012. Currently, there are 4,200 employees. The factory has a production capacity of up to 200,000 cars per year, based on two-shift operations. VDL Nedcar utilises a highly automated production process (1,400 industrial robots). Since its launch in 1967, over 5.5 million cars (DAF, Volvo, Smart, Mitsubishi, MINI, BMW) have rolled off the production line in Born. Currently, VDL Nedcar manufactures the MINI Cabrio, the MINI Countryman, and the BMW X1; we also produce the PHEV variant of the MINI Countryman.
www.vdlnedcar.nl