Expansion of business park Aalten

What is the purpose of expanding the industrial park?

The municipality wants to provide sufficient space for businesses that wish to remain in Aalten or expand. Since there is currently no space available for expansion, we want to develop a new site with commercial lots. This will help us maintain employment, local amenities, and a healthy local economy.

Where will the expansion take place?

This is currently being investigated. One location has now been identified for further study: the area southwest of the current industrial park and north of the Keizersbeek. This area is adjacent to the existing industrial park.

How big will the site be?

Research shows that, through 2030, there will be a need for approximately 11 hectares of net expansion of the industrial park near the center of Aalten, with an additional 5 to 17 hectares of net expansion throughout the municipality of Aalten through 2040. The designated area covers 23 hectares. To realize the expansion of the industrial park, land is also needed for roads, stormwater management, and green spaces, for example. Our initial estimate is that it will be possible to develop 11 to 15 hectares of net industrial park area within the designated area. In-depth studies are being conducted to determine the exact figure.

Why was this location chosen?

There is not a single location near the center of Aalten that can be easily developed into an industrial park and that is free of zoning restrictions. Therefore, as a first step, a preliminary study was conducted in which nine different locations were examined. Based on the preliminary study, the municipal executive designated a preferred location. The city council then commissioned in-depth studies to be conducted for that location.

Would you like to learn more about the preliminary study? Please review the file“Appendix 1: Feasibility Study on the Development of the Aalten Business Park_BCI Research Report_01/26/23” for the results of the study.

What impact will the expansion of the industrial park at the proposed location have on the local environment?

We are investigating the potential impact of an industrial park at this location on the local environment. The studies focus on:

• water management
• traffic
• ground
• unexploded ordnance
• flora and fauna;
• archaeology;
• nitrogen;
• network congestion;  

We'll also create a layout sketch and calculate the costs of such a project.

What will happen to nature and the forest?

There is a forest in the proposed area. We are investigating whether the forest can remain or whether (part of) the forest will need to be cleared. If (partial) clearing is required, this will be more than fully offset at another location within the municipality. We are also examining how nature and the landscape can be preserved or enhanced as much as possible. The results of the studies and initial conceptual designs will provide clarity on these matters.

When can I contribute my ideas or provide feedback?

Various opportunities are being organized for you to share your ideas or provide feedback. If you would like to be kept informed about these opportunities, please sign up using the registration form at . You can also contact the municipality at any time by emailing bedrijventerrein@aalten.nl.

All comments are collected, evaluated, and addressed wherever possible. We provide a response to every person who submitted a comment. Reports to the executive committee and the council explain what action was taken on the feedback.

Why is expansion necessary if there are other industrial parks elsewhere in the region?

The regional agreements stipulate that the municipality of Aalten will primarily allocate space to local businesses. Large regional sites, such as the Laarberg in Groenlo, are intended for other types of businesses, such as those requiring large amounts of space or those in a high environmental category.

Why not expand to another location?

There is not a single location near the center of Aalten that can be easily developed into an industrial park and that is free of zoning restrictions. Therefore, as a first step, a preliminary study was conducted in which nine different locations were examined. Based on the preliminary study, the municipal executive designated the preferred location. The city council then commissioned in-depth studies to be conducted for that location.

Would you like to learn more about the preliminary study? Please review the file“Appendix 1: Feasibility Study on the Development of the Aalten Business Park_BCI Research Report_01/26/23” for the results of the study.

What exactly does the RPW entail?

The province determines the need for industrial parks in the Achterhoek region. In the Regional Program for Work Locations (RPW), the eight municipalities and the province reach agreements on how to allocate the determined need among the municipalities and the regional industrial parks. This shows that the municipality of Aalten must provide space for local growth. This is because, as it turns out, there will be a need for approximately 11 hectares of net expansion of the industrial park near the center of Aalten through 2030, with an additional 5 to 17 hectares of net expansion throughout the entire municipality of Aalten through 2040.

What does the expansion mean for local residents?

That their living environment will change. What that change will look like and what impact it will have on local residents is not yet clear as long as there is no plan in place.

Has a right of first refusal been established?

Yes, a right of first refusal has been established for the homes and parcels of land in the designated area. This means the municipality has the first right to purchase the land or home if the owner wishes to sell. However, the municipality is not obligated to purchase the land. The right of first refusal helps ensure control over the land while these studies are ongoing. This helps prevent developments that could hinder the plan.

Is the municipality obliged to create a business park if it buys land through the right of first refusal?

No. If the municipality acquires land through the right of first refusal, it is not obligated to develop it into an industrial park. If the development does not go ahead after all, the municipality—just like any other owner—can decide what to do with its land: sell it, lease it, or something else.

What types of businesses can locate in the new business park?

At this time, it has not yet been determined what types of businesses will be allowed to establish themselves in the new business park. The municipality of Aalten’s guiding principle is to develop commercial lots for existing and new local businesses. These businesses are mostly classified as category 3.1/3.2* and, in some cases, lower. However, it is not yet clear how this will be reflected in the planning area.

* Businesses are classified into categories 1 through 5. The categories indicate the type of business activities and the extent of the impact of those activities. The lower the category, the less impact. For example, within the municipality of Aalten, SABA in Dinxperlo is classified in a higher category, 4.1. In Aalten, the category is usually 3.2 or lower.

How are companies selected to build here?

No selection criteria have been established yet, nor is anything known about how the land will be allocated among large, small, or specific types of businesses. The municipality has reserved the right of first refusal so that it can allocate plots itself in the future. It can then specify allocation criteria, which would allow it, for example, to determine the size of the plots. The municipality can also exclude certain types of businesses.

What is known about the layout of the new site?

We are currently exploring what a potential business park at this location might look like. We are doing this by creating a layout sketch that takes into account factors such as green spaces, water features, and roads. The layout sketch is a tool to illustrate what is possible in this area and the associated costs. The city council is expected to make a decision on this matter in early 2027.

 I am interested in a plot at the new business park. How do I make my interest known?

At this time, it is not yet known whether the business park will be built. Therefore, it is not yet possible to express interest in the lots. As soon as more information becomes available, we will share it on this page and through the municipal newsletters *Aalten Vooruit* and *De Band*.