De Wolden introduces species management plan for easier home insulation

The municipality of De Wolden in Drenthe has become the first in the province to implement a species management plan designed to simplify and reduce the cost of home insulation and renovation.

Previously, residents were required to conduct individual ecological investigations for every house to check for protected species, such as bats or swifts, before starting work. This process was often time-consuming and expensive. To address this, the ecological consultancy Eco Reest mapped the locations of these species across all village centers in the municipality.

Under the new permit, residents and developers can utilize this existing research for free, removing a significant barrier to sustainable home improvements. While the permit streamlines the process, certain conditions apply, such as reporting work to the municipality in advance, installing nest boxes, or performing work outside of breeding seasons.