GroenLinks-PvdA proposes turning airports into housing
GroenLinks-PvdA argues that tackling the housing shortage requires freeing up land for new construction. In its election program, set to be presented Monday, the party proposes that agricultural areas, neglected industrial sites, and regional airport locations be converted into new residential neighborhoods, AD reports.
The party envisions large housing developments on underused airport sites, including the airport near Rotterdam and Maastricht Airport. “The airport there is structurally loss-making. At the same time, we need space for nature and new homes. Even the Rotterdam region would improve if green areas and housing replaced the airport,” said party leader Frans Timmermans.
GroenLinks-PvdA notes a practical benefit to using airport land: municipal infrastructure delays often slow construction because cities must invest heavily in roads, sewage, and utilities. “At airports, much of the infrastructure is already in place,” Timmermans said. He added that the party does not intend to make flying impossible, noting alternatives are often available within about an hour’s drive.
The program also sets stricter affordable housing requirements for all new developments. Forty percent of rental units would have a maximum rent of 900 euros per month, while another 30 percent would either be rental units capped at 1,200 euros per month or owner-occupied homes priced no higher than 405,000 euros.
These standards are tighter than current rules, under which municipalities sometimes require only 30 percent of new construction to be reserved for social housing. Timmermans said such requirements often make projects financially unfeasible for developers.
GroenLinks-PvdA also seeks to expand middle-income access to affordable housing and proposes legally limiting annual rent increases, even during periods of high inflation. Timmermans highlighted measures to strengthen housing corporations’ finances, including abolishing taxes on corporations, offering cheaper loans, and increasing public investment.
The party estimates that “many billions” will need to be invested in new construction and proposes funding it through gradually reducing mortgage interest deductions, increasing land ownership taxes, and capturing land value gains. Municipalities would regain discretion to prioritize status holders in social housing allocations.
These proposals come amid ongoing concerns about Schiphol Airport. Between November 2023 and October 2024, the airport exceeded noise limits three times, reaching levels nearly 22 percent above the legal cap, but faced no sanctions due to ministerial changes in enforcement rules. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) warned that residents near Schiphol, Uithoorn, and Aalsmeer remain inadequately protected against noise nuisance and sleep disruption.
The Cabinet also plans to reduce Schiphol’s noise pollution by 20 percent by 2028, including a 15 percent reduction target for this year, according to Aviation Minister Barry Madlener.
