Space for Space scheme

The province of North Brabant has the so-called Ruimte voor Ruimte scheme. This scheme makes it possible to develop a new home in exchange for the demolition of (agricultural) buildings. Agricultural entrepreneurs receive financial compensation for the demolition of stables, barns or other (agricultural) company buildings. In this way, the area is cleared of unwanted farm buildings and decay is prevented.

The purpose of the Room for Space scheme is quality improvement of the landscape. Especially improving the spatial and environmental quality in the outlying area. The Ruimte voor Ruimte regeling is suitable for both cessation of livestock farming and individuals who wish to develop a home in the outlying area.

Building title for housing development outside area

To develop a new home, one must be in possession of a building title. A building title can only become available when all the Requirements of the Ruimte voor Ruimte regulation are met. The free building title is therefore also called a Room for Space title. With a building title, one new house can be developed. This can be at the location where the stables are demolished, but the building title can also be used elsewhere within the province of Noord-Brabant to develop a Ruimte voor Ruimte house at a suitable location. When not yet in possession of a building title, this can be purchased from the province's Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Ruimte voor Ruimte: www.ruimtevoorruimte.com.

Requirements Space for Space scheme

The Province of North Brabant has included requirements for Room for Space housing in the Province's Interim Environmental Regulation, available at www.ruimtelijkeplannen.nl.

Application building Space for Space house

A request in principle can be submitted to test whether a space for space home is possible at a certain location in the municipality of Nuenen.

Vision Space for Space Nuenen

The vision “Space for Space—Building in the Outlying Areas of Nuenen” (dated April 4, 2022) provides a “ Requirements ” and design guidelines for the development opportunities for “Space for Space” homes within built-up areas in the municipality of Nuenen. Initiatives for the construction of “Space for Space” homes are assessed against this vision. The vision was adopted by the municipal council on September 29, 2022.You can request a high-resolution version of the PDF via email.

Guide for initiators

Memo on “Ruimte voor Ruimte” Homes in Nuenen.
Assessment criteria for housing construction on “Ruimte voor Ruimte” lots, for both individual homes and small clusters of homes.

Nuenen Spatial Quality Team, April 2021


Introduction


Houses or ensembles of houses on Room for Space plots must fit into the existing landscape. A thorough analysis of the surrounding landscape and a vision and motivation for the intervention based on this are therefore essential components of the design brief. In terms of building use, the agricultural context has seen a reduction in the number of traditional farms and an increase in housing for those who love "outdoor" living. Too literal imitation of classic farmyards, long-gabled farmhouses and classic barns is therefore no longer relevant: too much inspired by nostalgia and also not appropriate for contemporary housing programs. Nevertheless, history can certainly inspire building on these lots, but in a non-literal way. An own interpretation and analysis of the existing spatial qualities of agricultural ensembles with their buildings in the countryside should be demonstrably incorporated in the design.

  1. The most important assessment criterion is an area-specific landscaping that both anticipates the spatial qualities of typical agricultural ensembles in the area and at the same time establishes a relationship with the surrounding landscape. The green landscape layout must be robust and also legally secured, even after transfer of ownership. Permit-free building per plan is restricted partly for that reason: namely, where buildings to be added would destroy the desired quality.
  2. The main building consists of a single volume or attached sub-volumes that together form a unit. Main buildings and outbuildings should have a simple roof form, which may be a (preferably) symmetrical gable roof or mansard roof. In form, material and detailing, the roof should be dominant in the appearance of these houses and should be in keeping with characteristic features of buildings in the area. This allows more freedom in the materialization and design of the facades because they are secondary to the roof. Hipped roofs are not allowed. Additions and additions to the roof and dormers should be handled with great restraint, incisions and recesses in the volume of the main and secondary buildings are possible, but preferably not or barely visible from the public road. Trusses and other structural parts visible in the facade should actually have a structural function. In general, the roof shape of the main building should be dominant.
  3. Maximum gutter height for main and outbuildings is 3 meters, maximum ridge height for main buildings is 9 meters and for outbuildings 6 meters. Large overhangs are possible so that even on the first floor there is space along the facade. Roofs should be finished in a dark color. Solar panels should be integrated into the roofs, preferably on the outbuilding. Dormers and other forms of roof structures are only allowed in exceptions: namely when the whole is so calm in appearance that an addition is not disruptive.
  4. Front and side facades should be executed in one color palette with non-contrasting colors. Facades should be in a different material than the roofs so that the dominance of the roof is maintained.
  5. With multiple homes in a cluster (yard), individual homes should be coordinated in form and material.