Home | Urban planning and development | South-East | A unique place to work, centrally located | Participation Report: Ecofactorij II Business Park

Participation Report: Ecofactorij II Business Park

Apeldoorn is facing a shortage of industrial land and is therefore exploring new sites. Adjacent to the existing Ecofactorij industrial estate, a new, sustainable and circular industrial estate (Ecofactorij II, approx. 31 ha) is to be developed, primarily for the manufacturing and logistics sectors, featuring efficient use of space and green landscaping. Part of the plan includes the construction of a railway underpass to create a safe transport link towards the N345/Zutphensestraat.

This participation report describes how residents, local residents, stakeholders and organisations have been involved since 2019.

Chronological overview of participation

13 June 2019 – Information letter to residents and business owners

  • To provide information on the spatial planning study for the Ecofactorij II business park.

July 2020 – March 2021 Newsletters to local residents

  • Conclusion of the feasibility study that the site is the best option for the municipality of Apeldoorn to expand the industrial estate;
  • Approval from the local council to take the plans a step further.

24 May 2023 – Open-house event

  • Landowners and/or residents/business owners have been informed about the next steps following the council’s decision on the development plan;
  • During the meeting, the kitchen-table discussions with landowners in the area were announced.

August/September 2023 – Kitchen-table discussions between residents and business owners in the area

  • It has been discussed that the development of the plan for an industrial estate will mean that residential use will no longer be possible. The council has announced that it intends to purchase the land within the plan area that is not yet owned by the council;
  • The aim of the kitchen-table discussions was to gain a clear understanding of the wishes of the residents and business owners. One of the outcomes is that the businesses want to be integrated into the community.

27 November 2024 – Information session

  • Information has been provided indicating that preparations have begun (amendment to the local development plan) and the first allocation of plots is expected to take place from 2029;
  • To provide information on plans to close tunnels under the A1 and A50 to motor vehicle traffic from 2027 onwards, for which a traffic decision must be taken.
  • We have received many comments suggesting that traffic problems are expected in residential areas and rural areas due to the planned closure of the tunnels under the A1 and A50.

20 December 2024 – Feedback letter following the information meeting on 27 November 2024

  • During the discussions at the information evening, via feedback forms, emails and two petitions, a large group of residents has made it clear that there are serious concerns about the consequences of closing the tunnels under the A1 and A50;
  • A commitment has been made to update the traffic study and to reconsider the plan to close the tunnels.

11 November 2025 – Update on the current situation

  • A new traffic study indicates that the development of Ecofactorij II will have virtually no impact on traffic levels on the surrounding access roads. The junction with the N345/Zutphensestraat is also well equipped to cope with the additional traffic;
  • A new traffic study indicates that there is no reason to close the tunnels under the A1 and A50 to car traffic.

3 December 2025 – Open-house event

  • The letter to residents explained that, based on a new traffic study, there is no reason to close the tunnels under the A1 and A50 to motor vehicle traffic. The letter also served as an invitation to an information meeting where residents could discuss the traffic study with one another;
  • In addition to the topic of traffic, information was shared at the meeting regarding the current state of play concerning the amendment to the environmental plan, the environmental permit for a flora and fauna activity (nature permit), the railway underpass, the town planning scheme and the planning process;
  • More specific questions were answered by subject specialists;
  • The decision not to close the tunnels under the A1 and A50 motorways allayed much of the unease and concern. This created more scope to consider the other elements of this plan;
  • The information letter and drop-in session helped to ensure transparency regarding the changes to traffic measures, fostered positive engagement among residents and stakeholders, and enabled us to gather additional questions and points for consideration for the next phase of the process.

Reflection on the participation process

Question 1 – How are residents and stakeholders involved?

Residents, local residents, business owners and other interested parties:

  • Providing information via newsletters, information leaflets, meetings and website publications
  • Consultation during meetings and through individual kitchen-table discussions with residents, landowners and business owners.

Question 2 – How was the participation decision implemented?

This participation process is in line with Chapter 4.2 of the Memorandum on Participation and Participation Rules under the Environment Act, and thus also with the Apeldoorn Participation Regulation 2022. Stakeholders were involved at an early stage, communication was transparent, and residents, organisations and market parties all had a say and were able to influence the process prior to the formal decision-making. The concerns and ideas raised have been taken into account in the further development of the plan.

The process is therefore in line with the requirements to ensure public participation in spatial planning and planning permission processes.

Question 3 – What impact has participation had, and was it effective?

An understanding of businesses’ interests and needs regarding the quality of the visitor experience and low-speed traffic.

  • Prior to drawing up the urban design plan, consultations were held with the park management organisation Ecofactorij. On the existing industrial estate, far less attention had been paid to communal/public green spaces and cycle/footpaths. A strong case was made for these aspects to be given greater consideration in the plan for the extension. This has now been done.

Understanding residents’ concerns regarding the closure of tunnels.

  • Residents, local residents and business owners expressly requested that the plan to close the tunnels be reviewed; this led to further research, which concluded that, based on factors including updated traffic data, there is no reason to close the tunnels to motor vehicle traffic.

Following the presentation of the urban development plan and measures for flora and fauna, there have been many positive responses, reflecting the care taken to protect nature and incorporate green spaces into Ecofactorij II.

A number of questions and comments have been gathered which could be taken into account in the next steps for the development of the business park.

Timeline at a glance

Date/period  Activity
13 June 2019 Information letter to residents and business owners
July 2020 – March 2021 Newsletters to local residents
24 May 2023 Open-house event
August/September 2023 Kitchen-table discussions between residents and business owners in the area
9 May 2025 Open Day: Stone Age Archaeological Research
27 November 2024 Information session
20 December 2024 Letter providing feedback following the information meeting on 27 November 2024
11 November 2025 Update letter: current status
3 December 2025 Open-house event
Mid-2026 and beyond Continued public engagement, with a focus on providing information regarding, amongst other things, the public consultation on the draft amendment to the local development plan, the construction of the railway underpass, the start of plot allocation, etc.