Frequently Asked Questions about the SMP

Apeldoorn is a green municipality home to many animals. However, in recent years, the number of animals and species has been steadily declining. Animals that live in buildings in particular – such as swifts, house sparrows and various species of bat – are struggling. This is because we are increasingly sealing up holes and filling in cavities, leaving them with nowhere to live. Modern new-build properties also offer little space for these animals. If we do nothing, these birds and bats may disappear from our streets, and biodiversity will decline further. That is why they are protected under the Environment Act. Are you planning to carry out building work? If so, you may be affected by this Act.

To ensure that animals living in buildings remain protected during works such as demolition, conversion, renovation or sustainability improvements, the municipality of Apeldoorn has drawn up a Species Management Plan (SMP). This plan ensures that animals living in buildings are protected, both during and after the works.

An ecological survey is required for planning permission under the Environment Act. The local authority carries out this survey, so you no longer need to do so. An Ecological Work Protocol must also be drawn up, setting out how the work is to be carried out and which nesting sites are to be created in and around the building. Thanks to the SMP, it is easier for you to comply with the Environment Act, enabling you to get started on your plans quickly and without any problems.

• You’ll save time and money, as no research is required.
• You know in advance how long the procedure will take, which makes it easier to plan.
• You comply with the Environment Act and the current building regulations.
• You are helping to make Apeldoorn a nature-friendly place.
• You are guaranteed an exemption if you work in accordance with an environmental protocol.

If you are not participating in the SMP, you are required by law to have a biodiversity assessment carried out to determine whether any protected species are present. If any protected species are found, you must apply to the Province of Gelderland for an exemption under the Environment Act. If no protected species are present, you do not need to take this into account any further. You can find more information on the Province of Gelderland website.

When carrying out the following works, you must comply with the Environment Act to prevent disturbance to animals living in buildings:

• Sealing joints and holes to reduce heat loss
• Installing insulation in the cavity or the roof
• Replacing or renovating the roof
• Fitting insulated roof panels to the outside of the roof
• Replacing gutters and fascia boards on buildings
• The removal of chimneys
• Fitting dormer windows and skylights
• The installation or replacement of insulation panels on the exterior of buildings
• The installation of solar panels, solar water heaters or other systems on the façade to support the energy transition
• Painting, joint repair, façade cleaning
• Replacing sealant joints, timber, window frames and glass
• Demolition of (parts of) dwellings

If you take part in the SMP, you must adhere to an environmental working protocol that we provide. Among other things, this means that you must install at least one nesting box per property for house sparrows, swifts or bats. In addition, a built-in bat box must always be installed when carrying out cavity wall insulation.

Within the SMP, we assume that protected species are present and ask you to work in accordance with an established ecological working protocol. This means that you do not need to demonstrate whether or not protected species are present.

Outside the scope of the SMP, you can determine the presence of protected animal species by having a nature assessment (ecological preliminary survey) carried out. This survey checks for the presence of protected species, such as house sparrows, swifts and bats, at specific times. If protected species are present, you must apply for an exemption under the Environment Act. If no protected species are present, you do not need to take this into account any further.

If there are protected animal species present in your building, you must not disturb or kill them. This is laid down in the Environment Act. When carrying out certain works, such as renovation, refurbishment or insulation, you must take the presence of these animal species into account. If you fail to do so, you will be acting in breach of the law and may be committing an offence.

On the one hand, we face the challenge of improving sustainability, which involves better insulating as many buildings as possible, filling cavity walls and installing solar panels. On the other hand, this work drives away animal species that depend on our buildings. We want to prevent this as much as possible. The municipality of Apeldoorn therefore drew up the Species Management Plan (SMP) in 2019. This is an overarching plan to protect animal species in the city.