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New route for remedied PKB Rotterdam Mainport Development Project

This message is contained in a letter from Ministers Peijs (Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management) and Dekker (Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment) to the House of Representatives.

The choice for this approach means that the commencement of land reclamation, scheduled for the spring of 2008, is still feasible provided the requisite procedures for follow-up decisions are punctual and successful.

The main reason why the Ministers opted for a PKB without a ‘plus', i.e. without specific policy decisions, is the need to take supplementary measures for air quality, which would significantly delay the project. This need has become apparent from studies held during the past year. A plan to compensate for the effects of PMR on air quality in the Rijnmond area adds new measures to the remedied PKB. Incorporating these measures in the existing PKB plus means that new specific policy decisions would need to be included in the PKB plus. This would require a new PKB procedure, and also mean that the usefulness of and need for the project would first have to be established once more. This is something that has already been sufficiently demonstrated in the Council of State's view. Another reason for this decision is that the remedial procedure for the PKB and the follow-up decisions are increasingly concurrent in time and the information on which the follow-up decisions are based is more up-to-date.

In consultation with the PMR partners, and following discussions with community stakeholders, a PKB without specific policy decisions was opted for, supplemented with the possibilities offered by a State project procedure and the administrative instruction for the State to be able to continue to guarantee the implementation of the three sub-projects of PMR.

Air quality
According to the latest data from the Environment and Nature Planning Agency, the standards for air quality will continue to be exceeded at two locations in the Rijnmond region in 2020 (Hoek van Holland and Spijkenisse/Hoogvliet).

The PMR's contribution to these excesses is limited, but nevertheless has to be compensated for. The air quality problem will be addressed in the follow-up decisions to the PKB. The intention is, supplementing earlier agreements on the implementation and financing of PMR, to conclude an environmental covenant in which the parties agree to carry out the essential measures to be taken.

Planning
The PKB procedure PMR was completed in September 2003. The Council of State, however, identified a number of shortcomings in the PKB on the basis of the appeals procedure. The shortcomings have since been examined in detail and are at present being remedied in the PKB. The examination findings have shown that there are no insoluble problems.

In June, the cabinet intends to present the draft version of the remedied PKB, together with a strategic environmental assessment (SMB). This will be presented to the House of Representatives before the summer. It will be followed at the beginning of July by a period during which anyone wishing to do so can comment on the SMB and on the appropriate assessment of the consequences for the Waddenzee. If necessary, PKB part 3 will be amended on the basis of responses received. After the summer, the outcome of this period for comment will be submitted to the House of Representatives, which can then speedily proceed to considering the PKB, and can take a final decision on PMR.

The substance of the PKB is no longer open to appeal at the Council of State.
There is sufficient opportunity for appeal in follow-up procedures, such as the drafting and amending of the zoning plans. Those procedures also incorporate further options for public comment.

The port of Rotterdam is one of the largest in the world and makes a significant contribution to the Dutch economy. The existing port and industrial terrain offer hardly any room for new enterprises and existing customers wishing to expand. If the port is to continue to prosper, this extra room must be created. The Dutch government accordingly wants to reinforce the mainport of Rotterdam. In order to do so while respecting nature and the environment and the quality of life in the Rijnmond area, the Project Mainport Development Rotterdam has been established.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority is responsible for creating the new port area and the State is responsible for the corresponding nature compensation; the province of Zuid-Holland for the sub-project comprising 750 hectares for a wildlife and recreational area; and the municipality of Rotterdam for the Existing Rotterdam Area sub-project.

Page updated at: 07-07-2009