Host City Participation Report

This engagement report describes how local residents, stakeholders, organisations and market players were involved from 2023 to 2025 inclusive.

Chronological overview of the participation process: 1 February 2023 – First residents’ meeting

• The aim was to inform residents about the national Host City concept and its potential impact on the local area.
• The outcome was that residents expressed concerns about traffic, temporary accommodation and integration into the landscape.

July 2023 – Information letter to residents

• Host City had by then been brought to the public’s attention following the signing of the letter of intent between Apeldoorn and the central government (February 2023).
• Residents received information by post about Host City, the national programme and the spatial planning principles.

7 November 2023 – Second residents’ meeting

• Update of the feasibility study in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
• Special attention should be paid to the combination of permanent homes and guest plots.
• Residents indicated that they needed timely and clear communication, including regarding the phasing of the work and any potential disruption.

2023–2025: Consultations with residents and landowners

• Following the meeting on 1 February 2023, individual discussions were held with residents in the area. Since then, discussions have continued to take place with local residents on a regular basis.
• Output/input:
  • o concerns about views, heavy traffic and changes to the landscape
  • o questions regarding ownership positions and a possible buy-out
  • o a preference for integration into green and rural settings

Discussions with organisations

• Natuurmonumenten – discussions held on the impact on nature and disruption
• Animal shelter – discussions regarding a possible relocation / nuisance
• Apeldoorn Business Association – discussions on traffic around Lange Amerikaweg

16 December 2024 – Residents’ meeting (part of the major Zuidrand information evening)

• The local authority provided an explanation of the urban planning framework, which was subsequently published in official documents.
• Yield:
  • Residents asked for more clarity on the boundary between the Host City and the wider area development.
  • Concerns about “island formation” if the Host City is developed before the rest of the area.

Reflections on participation right up to the handover of the Strategic Document

Question 1 – How are residents and stakeholders involved?

Residents and businesses:

• Providing information through meetings (2023, 2024), a newsletter (2023) and website publications.
• Consultation during residents’ evenings and through one-to-one discussions with residents and landowners.
• Organisations such as Natuurmonumenten and the animal shelter were consulted separately.

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 urban development framework.

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?

Understanding residents’ concerns regarding the landscape, traffic levels and the phasing of the project.

• Residents strongly called for clear communication; this led to further explanations at subsequent meetings, additional discussions and, in future, drop-in sessions.

Timeline at a glance

Date/period	Activity
1 February 2023	First residents’ meeting for Host City
July 2023	Information letter to residents
7 November 2023	Second residents’ meeting
2023–2025	Discussions with residents, landowners, Natuurmonumenten and the animal shelter
16 December 2024	Zuidrand Information Evening (including the Host City section)
2026	Continued participation