RTV Utrecht: Referendum on Housing Construction in Houten

A group of residents in Houten has collected thousands of signatures in an effort to force a referendum on the construction of nearly 6,000 homes. The municipal council plans to significantly expand construction over the next twenty years, but opponents fear that high-rise buildings, in particular, will undermine Houten’s village character.

Watch Ulrike Nagel’s report for RTV Utrecht.

Summary of this report

This video discusses the ambitious and controversial housing development plan in Houten, under which the municipality aims to build nearly 6,000 homes over the next 20 years. Journalist Ulrike Nagel reports on the criticism and the residents’ call for a referendum.

Housing Plans and Resident Protests

The Houten municipal council wants to build nearly 6,000 homes, which has drawn significant criticism from residents. More than 4,000 signatures were presented to the mayor to halt the construction plans—particularly high-rise buildings—because they would undermine Houten’s village character [00:18]. Residents want to have a say in the housing development through a referendum.

Locations and Controversies

The municipality has designated several locations for new construction, including the center of Houten, near the Molenzoom (where taller-than-usual buildings are planned), and on the northwest side along the A27 [01:14]. Residents oppose these locations because they believe they would be too complicated and too expensive. Rino Jonker, one of the initiative’s organizers, points out the need for large-scale infrastructure projects along the A27, including rerouting bypasses and relocating sports fields, which would be “unaffordable” [01:44].

Health and Cost Concerns

The Utrecht Municipal Health Service (GGD Utrecht) has raised critical concerns about the construction plans along the A27 due to air quality issues, which would make living there unhealthy [02:14]. Residents propose building on the east side of Houten, where there is still space and the land is already owned by the municipality, which would make construction easier and less expensive [02:28].

Referendum and Influence

The city council has decided to count the submitted signatures, despite earlier discussions about the validity of the forms [00:42]. If the signatures are deemed valid, a referendum will be held on March 17, coinciding with the House of Representatives elections [03:00]. However, this is an advisory referendum, which means the municipality is not required to follow the results [03:13].

The issue of housing construction in Houten thus remains a source of debate, with the local government and residents at odds over their differing visions for the municipality’s future.

Background

“People feel that construction isn’t being done in a way that’s typical of Houten. Houten has always been unique in the way we’ve built here, and these plans look very different. People think it’s going to look like Nieuwegein, or like Kanaleneland, or like Overvecht,” says Ellen Standhardt-Jonkers, one of the referendum’s organizers.

So far, 4,300 signatures have been collected, and 2,250 were needed to trigger a referendum. The city council will decide tomorrow whether the referendum will actually take place. But given the number of signatures collected, that seems to be merely a formality.

Advisory Referendum
It should be noted that this is an advisory referendum. This means that the outcome is not binding on Houten’s political leaders. The plan is to hold it at the same time as the House of Representatives elections on March 17.