Monastery Garden

The municipality is developing plans in the green heart of Nuenen: the Kloostertuin. There is much interest in building and living at this location, but the preservation of greenery is also important. Therefore, the desired developments have been outlined in a Master Plan. Before homes can actually be built, important steps still need to be taken: the tendering process. After all, the municipality will not build the homes itself; the most suitable builder/developer will still be selected for that purpose. A spatial procedure must also be completed according to the Omgevingswet before the construction of approximately 115 homes and the construction of the park can take place in 2027.

Photo of today's Cloister Garden with the gymnasium in the background

Today's Cloister Garden with the gymnasium in the background.

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Rental and sale of homes

At this moment, it is not yet possible to register for a home in the Kloostertuin.

Both rental and owner-occupied apartments are available in the Kloostertuin. The exact details of the program have not yet been finalized, but taking into account a maximum of 115 apartments, the layout is currently as follows:

38 social housing apartments (50% of which are for seniors)
39 affordable apartments for sale
38 private sector apartments

The municipality will not sell or rent out the homes itself. The social housing units will be added to the portfolio of the Wooninc housing association. The remaining homes will be sold by a market party that is yet to be selected. Once the municipality has selected a market party, this will be announced on this page and in the newsletter. From that moment on, this party can be contacted for more information about the registration process.

February 2026 update: BOPA permit granted + developer selection process started

The Municipal Executive has granted the BOPA permit (Buitenplanse Omgevingsplanactiviteit, or Off-Plan Environmental Planning Activity) for the first phase of the project.
On February 11, 2026, Alderman Kok and Ronald Frins (Wooninc.) signed a cooperation agreement. Wooninc. will soon purchase 30% of the homes for social housing. With this, the municipality and Wooninc. are making an important contribution to reducing the pressure on the social housing market in Nuenen.
In addition, on February 11, 2026, the selection procedure was also started for a developer who will further develop and realize the plan. Interested parties can register and will be assessed on predetermined criteria. The municipality will ultimately choose the developer that best fits the ambitions for the Kloostertuin.

No work is currently taking place in the area at this stage. Behind the scenes, we are working on further developing the plan. We are also preparing for the demolition of the old gym on Mgr. Cuytenlaan.

Update December 2025

Permit for first phase of BOPA applied for

The housing development in the Kloostertuin is made possible by an Extra-Plan Environmental Plan Activity (BOPA). This instrument makes it possible to deviate from the applicable environmental plan, so that the development can take place despite existing spatial regulations. The BOPA consists of two phases:

First phase – spatial component
- Focuses on the spatial acceptability of the plan.
- Topics: spatial compatibility, traffic and parking, effects on the environment.
- The substantiation for this phase has been completed and the permit application has been submitted.
- This legally establishes the main lines of development.
Second phase – structural engineering
- To be developed later by the developer yet to be selected.
- Topics: technical and structural elaboration of the plan.
- The permit application for this phase will follow the spatial planning phase.

With the submission of the first phase of the BOPA, an important step has been taken towards the realization of the housing project.

Extra attention to parking

In response to concerns expressed by the local community, additional research into parking was conducted in support of the BOPA. This was in line with the council decision stipulating that CROW publication 744 applies. In accordance with these principles, parking needs for both residents and visitors must be fully met within the planning area. The research shows that this can be achieved, meaning that there will be no additional parking pressure in the immediate vicinity.

Process and deadlines

The application for the spatial BOPA has been submitted and is currently being assessed by the municipality. If the decision is positive, the permit will be granted. This will be followed by a six-week objection period, during which interested parties can lodge any objections. At the end of this period, it will become clear whether the permit is irrevocable.

Planning

Completed: Start design and participation for Master Plan scenarios - early 2022
In early 2022, we started the design. Participation also took place for the scenarios of the Master Plan.
Completed: Principles adopted by city council - November 2023
The guiding principles (urban planning principle, building height, parking, sustainability, finances) were adopted by the City Council.
Completed: Master plan Monastery Garden adopted by city council -
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the Monastery Garden Master Plan was adopted by the City Council.
Completed: positive council opinion - Oct. 9, 2025
The council gave a positive opinion on the environmental permit application on Oct. 9.
Completed: First phase BOPA permit granted - February 6, 2026
The permit for the non-plan environmental planning activity (BOPA) has been granted. A BOPA makes it possible to realize housing development in the Kloostertuin.
Completed: Cooperation agreement signed with Wooninc. - February 11, 2026
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Alderman Kok (municipality of Nuenen) and Ronald Frins (Wooninc.) signed the cooperation agreement for the construction of 38 social housing units in the Kloostertuin.
Currently in progress: Developer selection procedure - February 2026 to September 2026
We are looking for a developer to further develop the plan. On February 11, 2026, the selection guidelines were published on the Mercell platform.
Still to do: Elaborate plans and building permit - 2026
The plans will be worked out in more detail and the building permit will be applied for.
Still to do: Start construction of housing and park - from early 2027
We expect to begin construction of the approximately 115 homes and park construction in 2027.

Review of the creation of the Master Plan

To develop such a special location, the municipality does not go overnight. Step by step, the municipality and designers drew and calculated on a design. To make the plans even more attuned to the wishes of Nuenen and the people of Nuenen, the municipality consulted a sounding board group that included participants from the community. In the course of that process with research, design and participation, at the end of 2023 the municipal council established the starting points for the building program, public space, the development fields, traffic & parking and sustainability & energy.

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, another important phase was completed: the City Council adopted the Master Plan for Monastery Garden. This Master Plan is not yet a building plan; it contains a reference design, a suggestion of what a building plan might look like (i.e., not how it should be). It does make clear what frameworks the eventual builder must meet. A spatial procedure according to the Omgevingswet will follow. Goal: start construction of approximately 115 homes and construction of the park in 2027.

Learn more

Do you have questions about the project? Email your question to us at kloostertuin@nuenen.nl.

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