Renovation and the Environment Act

Protect nature when insulating

Are you planning to carry out building work as a resident or business owner? If so, this could be harmful to protected animals. It is prohibited to disturb or damage animals or their nests. This is set out in the Environment Act. This Act also protects animals living in buildings. You are therefore obliged to commission an ecological survey and apply for a permit when carrying out renovation work. The municipality of Apeldoorn has drawn up a Species Management Plan (SMP). The SMP helps you to take the house sparrow, common swift, stone marten and bats into account.

Applications to take part in the SMP

• For residents or private homeowners
  You can take part in the SMP free of charge. Please apply via the button on the page Application to participate in the species management plan. Once we have received your application, we will draw up an environmental work protocol for you. This sets out how you (or your contractor) are to carry out the work. You must sign this protocol and return it to us. You will then receive authorisation from us, allowing you to commence the work. You must carry out the work in accordance with the guidelines set out in the environmental work protocol. Please allow for a processing time of 8–10 weeks. You should therefore apply for participation in good time.

• For Owners’ Associations (VvE’s)
  Homeowners’ associations can also take part in the SMP free of charge. Please send an email to smp@apeldoorn.nl including the location and a description of the planned works. We will draw up an environmental work protocol for you and send it to you for signature by a board member. Once we have received the signed protocol, we will draw up an authorisation and send it to you. The works can then commence. You must carry out the work in accordance with the guidelines set out in the environmental work protocol. Please also bear in mind a processing time of 8–10 weeks.

• For entrepreneurs, housing associations and property developers
  You can also take part in the SMP. You are responsible for having an environmental work protocol drawn up by an environmental consultancy. Please send the protocol to smp@apeldoorn.nl. We will assess the protocol and, upon approval, issue an authorisation. Once you have received the authorisation, you may commence the work. You must carry out the work in accordance with the guidelines set out in the ecological work protocol. If you have any questions regarding the ecological work protocol, please contact us via smp@apeldoorn.nl.

Is your project eligible to take part in the SMP?

You can take part in the SMP if you meet the following conditions:

• Your project is within the boundaries of the SMP.
• The work falls under the SMP.
• You work in accordance with an environmental protocol.

Delimitation of the SMP

The municipality of Apeldoorn has been granted a licence by the Province for the SMP. Residents of the built-up areas of Apeldoorn and Ugchelen are welcome to take part.

Do you live outside the boundaries of the SMP?

If you are unable to make use of the SMP, you must, under the Environment Act, have a nature assessment carried out. This assessment determines whether any protected animal species are present. If they are, you must apply to the Province of Gelderland for a flora and fauna activity permit. Further information can be found on the the Province of Gelderland’s website.

Would you like to retrofit insulation to your cavity walls and do you live outside the built-up areas of Apeldoorn and Ugchelen? If so, you can take part in the ‘Nature-Friendly Insulation’ scheme. You can find more information on the the ‘Nature-Friendly Insulation’ website.

You can take part in the SMP for the following tasks:

• Building maintenance, such as painting, repairing pointing, cleaning gutters and replacing broken roof tiles.
• Building renovation.
• Energy efficiency measures, such as roof and cavity wall insulation.
• Demolition of buildings.
• Removal of asbestos.
• Replacement of façade cladding, fascia boards and shutters.
• Installing solar panels.

Working in accordance with the environmental working protocol

The environmental working protocol states:

• When you are allowed to work.
• How to work.
• Which nesting sites you should create in or on the building.

Making a home nature-free

Measures are being taken to avoid disturbing or killing animals. The aim is to ensure that no animals remain on site whilst the work is being carried out.

All entry points are sealed off. This can be done using slats, corner profiles, cavity brushes or foam rings. This is always carried out in conjunction with a so-called exclusion device. This device allows bats to leave the building once.

The restoration of the natural environment must be carried out in accordance with the natural calendar. Once the work is complete, the measures will be removed.

Working in tune with the natural calendar

There are specific time periods during which you can make your home ‘nature-free’:

• Cavity wall work (e.g. insulation): in April or between September and mid-October.
• Work on the roof: between September and mid-October. In some cases, this may also take place between mid-October and March (for house sparrows and swifts) and then in April (for bats).

Once the area has been cleared, you can carry out the work at any time of year.

Installation of facilities for animals

If you take part in the SMP, you must put at least one bird box back in place.

• When retrofitting insulation to a cavity wall: You are required to install a bat box.
• For other work: You can choose from nesting boxes for house sparrows, swifts or bats.

We have produced a guide to help you choose a bird box and the right place to hang it. You can request a copy of the guide by emailing smp@apeldoorn.nl.