Maaldrift in development: Wassenaar and Defense set course for agreement in 2026
The College of Wassenaar and the Ministry of Defense are working toward an administrative agreement on the future of location Maaldrift. State Secretary Tuinman and Alderman Van Doeveren spoke about the intended development of the site, where the Ministry of Defense is seeking space to expand the operations of the Royal Military Police. The Wassenaar bid for the development of Maaldrift was also discussed during the consultations. In early 2026, the two parties intend to sign administrative agreements on cooperation in the further development of the complex and the traffic issues associated with it.
Grindrift
Defense needs additional space for the Royal Military Police. The MOB Maaldrift is a more than 17-hectare complex that will play a crucial role for the Marechaussee thanks to its strategic location in the Randstad. As can be read on its website, the Ministry of Defense wants to expand on the site in Wassenaar and realize a training center for professional skills and a campus for surveillance and security.
The State Secretary indicated in this regard that he recognizes that additional physical space for the development of Maaldrift is a concern for the college. The Defense Department's starting point, therefore, is that the expansion will take place within the existing boundary of the site, whereby opportunities for adjusting building percentages and building heights will be considered in consultation with the college, in a manner appropriate to the surrounding area.
Wassenaar bid: preconditions and traffic
The Wassenaar bid confirms this premise and emphasizes three preconditions: careful spatial integration, safe traffic flow and the involvement of local residents. For the traffic flow, the bid proposes three solution directions, focusing on improvements at the Rozenplein and the connection to the N44, better traffic flow towards The Hague and an alternative access route for the complex. The State Secretary indicated that the necessary connection to provincial and local road structures requires attention and that there are opportunities to link solutions to the broader traffic challenges in the area. He pledged to actively participate and assist in the further elaboration of these solutions, so that traffic management can be addressed in conjunction with other regional tasks.
The college emphasized that not only the physical incorporation, but also the careful involvement of local residents and the immediate surroundings is an important starting point. The college values an open dialogue with the neighborhood, in which residents are informed in a timely manner and can contribute ideas about the development and the possible consequences for the living environment and accessibility.
On the basis of administrative agreements to be made in early 2026, the Defense Department and the college will continue to work out the plans. With continued attention to accessibility, incorporation and involvement of the surrounding area.
