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Participation in the Maritime Cluster
In the Den Helder Maritime Cluster Development program, we believe participation is important: actively involving residents, entrepreneurs, businesses, organizations, and other stakeholders. In this way, we work together on plans that enjoy broad support and contribute to a sustainable, easily accessible, and future-proof city and region. This approach is outlined in the participation and communication plan titled“Dialogue on the Waterfront.”
The project team regularly organizes informational meetings and participatory sessions. During these sessions, we explain our plans and provide an opportunity for questions, concerns, ideas, and suggestions.
On this page, you’ll find all the information you need about how you can share your ideas and contribute. Transparency and collaboration are key: find out who is involved, what meetings are taking place, and how you can stay informed.
Sounding board group
The advisory group plays an important role. This advisory group consists of approximately 15 representatives of residents, business owners, and organizations from the area. The advisory group focuses primarily on the following projects:
- Redevelopment of Nieuwe Diep/Nieuwe Werk
- New Construction of the Moorman Bridge
- Construction of the Ravelijn Bridge
- Buitenveld Development
Delegation from the advisory group, from left to right: Jorrit Stobbe, Raymond Margés, Katja Naber-van der Aa, Marc van Dijk, Rob Zijlstra, Kirsty den Dulk, and Jorn van Dijk.
Not pictured: Rik Hammer, Maikel Kivits, Rob Kramer, Bryan Pascoe, Harco Slot, Janet Sytsma, Frans van de Wetering.
Independent Chairperson
The Maritime Cluster Den Helder’s advisory group has an independent chairperson: Lars Hooning. He has a background in law and extensive experience in management, communications, and advocacy, including at the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Dutch Consumers’ Association.
As an independent chairperson—with no ties to any political parties in Den Helder—he facilitates the discussions and supports the further development of the advisory group.
Lars Hooning, Independent Chair of the Advisory Group
Solicited and unsolicited advice
The sounding board group is an advisory body for the program team. It provides both solicited and unsolicited advice, identifies opportunities and challenges, and brings in perspectives from the community. The group was formed in the summer of 2025 based on the participation and communication plan and consists of various stakeholder groups.
The recommendations are taken into account in the decision-making process. Feedback is also provided on how they were addressed.
The final decisions will be made by officials from the Ministry of Defense, the province of North Holland, and the municipality of Den Helder.
Want to contribute your ideas?
Would you like to contribute your ideas through participation or the sounding board group? Please email us at: info@maritiemclusterdenhelder.nl.
We would be happy to speak with you to gain a clear understanding of both your interests and those of your constituents
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Environmental Managers
Several community liaison managers are active within the program. They serve as the eyes and ears of the project and are the point of contact for everyone in the immediate vicinity. Do you have questions or concerns about a specific project? If so, please contact the relevant community liaison manager.
News
Planning Participation
Publications
Frequently asked questions
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions that we regularly receive.
The municipality of Den Helder, the province of North Holland, and the Ministry of Defence actively involve residents, entrepreneurs, companies, and other stakeholders in the plans for the Maritime Cluster of Den Helder. Everyone can contribute ideas about the future of the port area.
We actively invite everyone who lives, works, or is active in or around the Nieuwe Diep – Nieuwe Werk area to share their ideas: residents, business owners, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders. Regional entities such as the Port of Den Helder, the Water Board, Rijkswaterstaat, TESO, and local associations are also being involved. Other interested parties are welcome to attend the public information evenings and participation sessions.
The project team organizes informational meetings and one-on-one discussions where stakeholders can share their ideas, concerns, and wishes. The project team also holds consultation sessions with the program’s focus group.
Participation focuses on three major projects:
- The redesign of the road Het Nieuwe Diep – Nieuwe Werk
- The renewal and relocation of the Moormanbrug (Moorman Bridge)
- The Construction of the Ravelijn Bridge
In addition, the development of Buitenveld —the new barracks site for naval personnel—also plays an important role in the area’s development.
The meetings will discuss, among other things, how the port can develop in the coming years, how we can work together towards a sustainable and future-proof port, and what opportunities and challenges there are for the city, businesses, and residents.
The municipality and project partners are organizing information evenings and public participation sessions, such as the meeting on the preliminary design on October 15, 2025. In addition, there is an advisory group that provides both solicited and unsolicited advice to the project leaders and administrators.
Residents and companies can respond to plans via opinions and consultation moments.
The advisory group consists of 10 to 20 representatives of residents, business owners, and organizations from the area. They actively contribute ideas about the developments, identify opportunities and challenges, and provide advice to the project teams. Their input is taken into account during the planning process, with clear feedback on how their input is being used.
“Dialogue on the Waterfront” is the participation and communication plan for the development of the Maritime Cluster in Den Helder. The plan describes how residents, entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations will be involved. The document is available .
Working together on plans that enjoy broad support. Through timely and open communication, residents and business owners remain well-informed and can contribute their thoughts and share their concerns or ideas.
This will ensure that the port area is future-proof and that the city remains easily accessible.
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- Through information evenings and participatory sessions.
- By participating in the focus group.
- Through the digital platform ingesprek.denhelder.nl.
- By email info@maritiemclusterdenhelder.nl.
This will ensure that the port area is future-proof and that the city remains easily accessible.
- 2025 – Launch of broad public engagement: informational meetings, a baseline survey, and the formation of a focus group.
- 2026–2027 – Working on design decisions and public consultation opportunities regarding traffic, quality of life, and sustainability.
- 2028 – Preparation for implementation. Stakeholders will remain engaged through newsletters, office hours, and meetings.
- 2029–2032 – Implementation phase: communication regarding construction work, disruptions, and progress.
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We would like to keep you informed of developments in the Maritime Cluster. We do this via our website and also via our newsletters. The newsletter is published four times a year.
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