Start of construction of new nature reserve between Katwijk and Wassenaar

On Monday, December 1, construction of the Tussenzone officially began. The Central Government Real Estate Agency, together with the municipalities of Katwijk and Wassenaar, the Rijnland Water Board, the province of South Holland, and Staatsbosbeheer, is creating a new nature reserve that will connect the dunes, polders, and forests between Katwijk and Wassenaar. This area will become the green backbone of the new Valkenhorst neighborhood and will form a continuous network of nature and water, even before the first homes are built. This presents South Holland with a unique opportunity: nature restoration and housing construction that reinforce each other.

Gerard Mostert, Alderman Katwijk, and Wim Koetsier of Wassenaar, together with Marjon Lemmers-Verkleij, member of the Rijnland Water Board, Miranda Diependaal on behalf of the Province of South Holland, and Martijn van Berkel of the Central Government Real Estate Agency, marked the start of construction.

Alderman of Wassenaar: “With the Tussenzone, we are taking a major step forward in nature restoration. This robust ecological connection is of great importance to the entire region and contributes to our goal of making the northern edge more nature-inclusive, climate-adaptive, and biodiverse. Unfortunately, it has taken longer than hoped, but I am pleased that we are finally moving from planning to implementation. This project demonstrates how collaboration with partners leads to a stronger and greener landscape for the future."

Domain Director Miranda Diependaal spoke on behalf of Arno Bonte, Deputy for Nature in South Holland: "The Tussenzone is an important link in the green connection between the dunes and the Green Heart. In this way, we are working on a healthy green living environment that people and animals can enjoy. It is wonderful that a link is also being made with cultural history: the nature zone follows the contours of the Tankgracht national monument. This is being re-excavated and, together with the Bunkerbos, forms a green border around the new neighborhood. In this way, we are combining nature and culture." 

Many objectives come together in a single plan for the Tussenzone. The area will become an important link in the nature trail between Lentevreugd and De Horsten, with walking trails for the residents of Valkenhorst and a transition from marshland to grassland, shrubs, and forest. It is also part of a future-proof water system with clean dune water through Valkenhorst, with new water compensation. 

"This is really moving forward. By starting construction of the Tussenzone now, nature can develop over the coming years and form an attractive walking area as soon as the first residents of Valkenhorst settle in," says Martijn van Berkel of the Central Government Real Estate Agency.