On Wednesday, November 29, Sylvester Putters - managing director of Helpt Elkander - and Patrick Kok - Alderman Municipality of Nuenen - signed the anterior agreement of the Vinkenhofjes. This agreement sets out the project-specific agreements between housing association and municipality.

Last October, Helpt Elkander presented its plans for the Vinkenhofjes during a walk-in meeting to local residents and other stakeholders. After that, the plans were further developed in cooperation with the municipality and other cooperation partners. Adjustments were made in particular to parking and greenery, but the building heights (ranging from 3 to 5 floors) and the position of the buildings were not changed. There is a beautiful plan in a park-like, green environment.

Superior Agreement

In the anterior agreement, agreements are made between the cooperating parties. Among other things, the agreements concern the costs, such as the preparation for construction and the sale and delivery of the land. In addition, agreements are made about what will be realized, the planning of the realization and the integration of the landscape.

Zoning procedure

On November 21, 2023, the Municipal Executive of the Municipality of Nuenen approved the draft zoning plan for the Vinkenhofjes. The draft zoning plan will now be available for inspection for 6 weeks - from December 7, 2023 to January 19, 2024. After that, any views will be dealt with by the municipality and Helpt Elkander.

Next, the zoning plan is adopted by the City Council first in an adjudication and then in a decision-making evening, after which it is published. Then the zoning plan (provided no objections are filed with the Council of State) becomes irrevocable and the current Vinkenhofjes can be demolished in the fall of 2024. Construction of the new Vinkenhofjes will then begin in early 2025.

137 new apartments

This zoning plan allows for the construction of 137 life-sustaining social rental apartments on the site where 61 outdated apartments now stand. Those apartments will make way for 94 three-bedroom apartments and 43 two-bedroom apartments.

Big task social housing

In the coming years there is a task to add a net 325 social housing units in Nuenen.

"The Vinkenhofjes is an important project for us because it provides a substantial addition of rental housing. In addition, the project fulfills the need for life-proof housing for seniors which will create flow in the social housing stock. Close to the shopping center Kernkwartier and the meeting place Buurthuis Gastvrij; that is an extremely suitable location for seniors." said Sylvester Putters.

Nuenen municipality is also enthusiastic about the plan. Alderman Patrick kok:''With this project we are meeting the great demand for social housing in our municipality. We are pleased that we are now another step closer.''

Helpt Elkander is also currently building at another location in Nuenen-Zuid. On Wederikdreef it is working on the realization of 23 care homes for Lunet and 18 social rental apartments. In addition, Helpt Elkander is preparing projects for new construction in, among others, Oranjebuurt, Lyndakkers and Vrouwkensakker.

Collaboration

The plan for the Vinkenhofjes was created in cooperation with the municipality of Nuenen, architectural firm De Loods, construction company Hurks and Burobol.