Zuid-Holland village near Gouda changes its name to Cortelande

The new village to be built in the Zuid-Holland municipality of Zuidplas has been given the name Cortelande. The mayor of Zuidplas, Han Weber, announced the name on Saturday at the site where an information center about the new construction project in the polder area will be built. The residents of Zuidplas cast more votes for Cortelande than for the other two proposals, Groenerijk and Waterweide.

“This name, which was chosen by our residents, marks the start of a new chapter for our municipality,” says Weber. The municipality had launched a competition to find a name for the new village of 8,000 homes. Around 2,200 suggestions were received. A jury headed by the mayor selected three suggestions. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of our community,” mayor Weber said.

Most of the 900 votes were for Cortelande, a reference to an earlier name for the polder (Cortlandt). A historical association had campaigned for this name. According to historians, a boundary post to mark the borders of the villages in the area was once known as 'pael van Cortelande'.

The merged municipality of Zuidplas, near Gouda, now consists of four villages: Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, Moerkapelle, Moordrecht, and Zevenhuizen. The construction plans for the center of the Zuidplaspolder had the working title The Fifth Village. The municipal council approved the zoning plan in May, but 22 parties - including Rijkswaterstaat and Hoogheemraadschap Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard - have appealed to the Council of State.

The Supreme Water Council, for example, thinks that the zoning plan does not pay enough attention to “good and safe water management” and the future consequences of climate change. The case is not expected to be heard for another year. In the meantime, Zuidplas is continuing to work on the plans.

The lowest point of the Netherlands is located in the Zuidplaspolder, 6.76 meters below NAP. Cortelande will be built on a higher part.