Monastery Garden

The municipality is developing plans for the green heart of Nuenen: the Kloostertuin. There is a great deal of interest in building and living at this location, but preserving green space is also important. That is why the desired developments have been outlined in a Master Plan. Before homes can actually be built, important steps still need to be taken: the sales process. After all, the municipality will not be building the homes itself; the most suitable builder or developer has yet to be selected. A zoning procedure must also be completed in accordance with the Omgevingswet before the construction of approximately 115 homes and the creation of the park can take place in 2028.

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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Street Names in Kloostertuin Announced

On the recommendation of the street naming committee, the municipal executive has approved the street names. The names of the residential blocks will also be used as official addresses. The five distinct names will make it easier to identify and locate the homes. The walking path between the residential blocks will also be given its own name.

The name “Kloostertuin” has been well-established in Nuenen for many years and will therefore remain in use. The names of the residential blocks were chosen in honor of nuns who have been associated with the convent over the years. This has resulted in the following names:

RESIDENTIAL BLOCK 1 – ELISABETH-HOF
Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia was known for her Health the poor and the sick. She is the patron saint of the sick, hospitals, and healthcare. The convent in Nuenen was formerly known as the Sint-Elisabeth’s Gesticht. As a result, this name is closely linked to the history of this location.

RESIDENTIAL BLOCK 2 – SISTER JOSEPHAHOF
Margareta Jenniskens, whose religious name was Sister Josepha, was the first mother superior of the convent in Nuenen in 1887.

RESIDENTIAL BLOCK 3 – SISTER IRENÉEHOF
Sister Irenée Wagemans was the head of the nursery school affiliated with the convent from 1892 to 1942.

RESIDENTIAL BLOCK 4 – SISTER CLOTHILDEHOF
Sister Clothilde Camp was the head of the preschool from 1946 until her sudden death in 1968.

RESIDENTIAL BLOCK 5 – SISTER BERNADETTE COLO
In 1969, Sister Bernadette Colon was the last nun to be part of the teaching staff at the Sacred Heart School. That was also the last year in which the sisters were responsible for the school’s education.

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, which is scheduled for October 2026. 

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Completed: Start of design and public engagement for Master Plan scenarios—early 2022

    In early 2022, we started the design. Participation also took place for the scenarios of the Master Plan.

  2. Completed: Guidelines adopted by the city council - November 2023

    The guiding principles (urban planning principle, building height, parking, sustainability, finances) were adopted by the City Council.

  3. Completed: Master plan Monastery Garden adopted by city council - Completion date

    On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the Monastery Garden Master Plan was adopted by the City Council. 

  4. Completed: Positive council recommendation - October 9, 2025

    The council gave a positive opinion on the environmental permit application on Oct. 9.

  5. Completed: Permit for the first phase of BOPA 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. 

  6. Completed: Partnership 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.

  7. Currently in progress: Developerselection process - February 2026 through October 2026

    We are looking for the most suitable developer to further develop the plan. From the four remaining market participants, one will ultimately be selected to develop the Kloostertuin.

  8. Still to be done: Finalize plans and obtain a building permit - 2027

    The selected contractor will develop the plans in more detail and apply for a building permit.

  9. Still to be done: Start construction of homes and the park—beginning in 2028

    We expect to begin construction of the approximately 115 homes and the development of the park in 2028.

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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