Steenslân II Stiens
There is huge demand for housing nationwide. Housing surveys show that this is also the case in Leeuwarden. The Municipality of Leeuwarderadeel had already planned to develop a new residential area: Steenslân. Because of the housing demand earlier – which was much lower – Steenslân 1 was developed first. The housing market is now demanding more homes. That is when the second part is being started: Steenslân II. The land had already been reserved for this purpose.
Housing demand in Stiens
In Stiens, the housing demand in the period to 2031 has been estimated at 170 additional dwellings. This is the outcome of a housing demand survey conducted in 2021. The demand for single-family homes in the coming years is particularly high. These include terraced houses, semi-detached houses and detached houses. There is limited demand for owner-occupied flats.
In the public rental sector, it is desirable to add more lifelong housing with a (small) garden. These are homes suitable for people with (mild) disabilities or the elderly. This supply is currently not or only barely present in Stiens and could make an important contribution to increasing the flow in the existing housing stock.
You can find more information in the report about housing demand in Stiens, which was compiled by Companen, a housing market and living environment consultancy.
Expansion of Steenslân
We want to provide space in the new area for
- Homes for all
- Biodiversity
- Green space
- Recreation (footpaths, cycle route)
- Water
Ambitions of the City of Leeuwarden and Plaatselijk Belang Stiens
We want to develop an attractive place to live here:
- It will not just be a new residential area: we plan to develop an area that is attractive for all Stiens residents to live and meet each other.
- An inviting public area with green space that blends in well with the landscape around Stiens.
- There is space for all target groups in Stiens.
- Map of the Steenslân 2 area (PDF, 7.23 MB)
Urban development plan
The Steenslân II urban development plan is now ready. The plan presents a clear image of where housing, roads, green space and water will be located. The draft urban development plan was available for viewing in 2023. Some changes were made to the draft in response to feedback from residents and organisations. The main changes in responses to comments on the draft are:
- there will be an additional 5 public sector rental units;
- There will be only owner-occupied houses (no rentals) along the waterfront;
- there will be a bicycle and footbridge at the Mierepaad to make the walking route accessible to disabled people;
- life course homes will be built.
You can find more information in the urban development plan, which was adopted by the city council on 6 December 2023.
Participation working group
Fifteen residents of Stiens have formed a participation working group. They represent a cross-section of the population of Stiens and nearby residents.
Draft design
This ultimately led to a draft design that the working group presented to villagers. This plan was well received by many residents. It generated enthusiastic responses. All tips and comments were then further incorporated into the plans. This created a complete plan that was submitted to the city executive and the city council.
A plan was thus developed jointly by all parties. That is an approach that councillor Hein de Haan, himself present at one of the participation sessions, warmly welcomes. The working group is also enthusiastic about the approach.
Planning
The local authority is working on preparations in several steps:
- In the first half of 2026, we will request permits from the water board and the Province of Friesland. These permits are necessary to dig watercourses. This process will take around 6 months.
- In the spring of 2026, we will start to prepare the soil. To do so, we will temporarily put down sand. This strengthens the soil for the construction of roads.
- Once the soil has been strengthened, a temporary construction road will be built. This will allow trucks and machines to access the area.
- In late 2026 and 2027, we will start the sale of open market plots, social rent plots and project-based plots.
- In late 2026 and early 2027, we will prepare the area for construction. This will include the installation of pipes, cables and the sewer system.
Zoning plan and image quality plan
The urban development plan was adopted by the municipal council on December 6, 2023. On 25 September 2024, the city council also approved the zoning plan and the visual quality plan. An appeal was lodged against the zoning plan, temporarily postponing the start of construction. This appeal has been heard by the Council of State.
Decision of the Council of State
On Wednesday 21 January 2026, the Council of State gave its decision. Two residents from Stiens had lodged an appeal against the adoption of the zoning plan for the new district Steenslân II. In November 2025, the case was heard during a session. The Council of State declared the objections of the residents unfounded, which means the Council of State has determined that the residents’ objections are not justified. As a result, the local authority can start with preparations for the construction of 105 homes. You can find more information about these plans in the following text.
Zoning plans
The Steenslân II zoning plan makes the realisation of a residential area with 105 homes in Stiens possible. The new residential area consists of a mix of, social housing, private and public terraced houses, semi-detached houses, detached houses, barges and apartments. The buildings have a village-like appearance with variation in housing types and building heights and staggered building lines. Flat roofs are not permitted.
The homes will be located in a green and water-rich environment. The plan is spacious and has a low building density. The plan forms the natural conclusion of the village of Stiens and is surrounded by lots of greenery.
You can find more information in the draft zoning plan.
Design image quality plan with aesthetic guidelines
What will the houses look like? What will be the material or what will the colours be? What do the boundary fences look like? This is all included in the draft image quality plan. These are the so-called aesthetic guidelines. So what a building must meet. This includes, among other things, which facades should have nesting facilities for birds or bats. Future building applications will be assessed based on these guidelines.
You can find more information in the adopted image quality plan.
Biodiversity
We want to give as much space to nature as possible, including around our homes. Target species maps have been created for Steenslân II. These are maps of a species’ environmental requirements. The aim is for species that are already in the neighbourhood to find a home in the area. For Steenslân II, there are five target species, including the otter. The target species maps will be incorporated into the development plan and specifications for the site preparation and residential development.
You can find more information in the target species maps for Steenslân II.
Cultivating building materials
The City of Leeuwarden is to cultivate natural building materials at the site of the new Steenslân II district. These materials will later be used in the construction of the district. This makes it possible to build sustainably. You will find more information the page City of Leeuwarden cultivates circular building materials.
Availability of plots and homes
There are not yet any building plots, houses for sale, flats for sale or public housing available. It will be announced here as soon as we know when they will become available and how you can express your interest or sign up for them.
Newsletter
Contact
Do you have any questions about the Steenslân II project? Contact the City of Leeuwarden or send an email to steenslan@leeuwarden.nl.
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Housing demand in Stiens
In Stiens, the housing demand in the period to 2031 has been estimated at 170 additional dwellings. This is the outcome of a housing demand survey conducted in 2021. The demand for single-family homes in the coming years is particularly high. These include terraced houses, semi-detached houses and detached houses. There is limited demand for owner-occupied flats.
In the public rental sector, it is desirable to add more lifelong housing with a (small) garden. These are homes suitable for people with (mild) disabilities or the elderly. This supply is currently not or only barely present in Stiens and could make an important contribution to increasing the flow in the existing housing stock.
You can find more information in the report about housing demand in Stiens, which was compiled by Companen, a housing market and living environment consultancy.
Expansion of Steenslân
We want to provide space in the new area for
- Homes for all
- Biodiversity
- Green space
- Recreation (footpaths, cycle route)
- Water
Ambitions of the City of Leeuwarden and Plaatselijk Belang Stiens
We want to develop an attractive place to live here:
- It will not just be a new residential area: we plan to develop an area that is attractive for all Stiens residents to live and meet each other.
- An inviting public area with green space that blends in well with the landscape around Stiens.
- There is space for all target groups in Stiens.
- Map of the Steenslân 2 area (PDF, 7.23 MB)
Urban development plan
The Steenslân II urban development plan is now ready. The plan presents a clear image of where housing, roads, green space and water will be located. The draft urban development plan was available for viewing in 2023. Some changes were made to the draft in response to feedback from residents and organisations. The main changes in responses to comments on the draft are:
- there will be an additional 5 public sector rental units;
- There will be only owner-occupied houses (no rentals) along the waterfront;
- there will be a bicycle and footbridge at the Mierepaad to make the walking route accessible to disabled people;
- life course homes will be built.
You can find more information in the urban development plan, which was adopted by the city council on 6 December 2023.
Participation working group
Fifteen residents of Stiens have formed a participation working group. They represent a cross-section of the population of Stiens and nearby residents.
Draft design
This ultimately led to a draft design that the working group presented to villagers. This plan was well received by many residents. It generated enthusiastic responses. All tips and comments were then further incorporated into the plans. This created a complete plan that was submitted to the city executive and the city council.
A plan was thus developed jointly by all parties. That is an approach that councillor Hein de Haan, himself present at one of the participation sessions, warmly welcomes. The working group is also enthusiastic about the approach.
Planning
The local authority is working on preparations in several steps:
- In the first half of 2026, we will request permits from the water board and the Province of Friesland. These permits are necessary to dig watercourses. This process will take around 6 months.
- In the spring of 2026, we will start to prepare the soil. To do so, we will temporarily put down sand. This strengthens the soil for the construction of roads.
- Once the soil has been strengthened, a temporary construction road will be built. This will allow trucks and machines to access the area.
- In late 2026 and 2027, we will start the sale of open market plots, social rent plots and project-based plots.
- In late 2026 and early 2027, we will prepare the area for construction. This will include the installation of pipes, cables and the sewer system.
Zoning plan and image quality plan
The urban development plan was adopted by the municipal council on December 6, 2023. On 25 September 2024, the city council also approved the zoning plan and the visual quality plan. An appeal was lodged against the zoning plan, temporarily postponing the start of construction. This appeal has been heard by the Council of State.
Decision of the Council of State
On Wednesday 21 January 2026, the Council of State gave its decision. Two residents from Stiens had lodged an appeal against the adoption of the zoning plan for the new district Steenslân II. In November 2025, the case was heard during a session. The Council of State declared the objections of the residents unfounded, which means the Council of State has determined that the residents’ objections are not justified. As a result, the local authority can start with preparations for the construction of 105 homes. You can find more information about these plans in the following text.
Zoning plans
The Steenslân II zoning plan makes the realisation of a residential area with 105 homes in Stiens possible. The new residential area consists of a mix of, social housing, private and public terraced houses, semi-detached houses, detached houses, barges and apartments. The buildings have a village-like appearance with variation in housing types and building heights and staggered building lines. Flat roofs are not permitted.
The homes will be located in a green and water-rich environment. The plan is spacious and has a low building density. The plan forms the natural conclusion of the village of Stiens and is surrounded by lots of greenery.
You can find more information in the draft zoning plan.
Design image quality plan with aesthetic guidelines
What will the houses look like? What will be the material or what will the colours be? What do the boundary fences look like? This is all included in the draft image quality plan. These are the so-called aesthetic guidelines. So what a building must meet. This includes, among other things, which facades should have nesting facilities for birds or bats. Future building applications will be assessed based on these guidelines.
You can find more information in the adopted image quality plan.
Biodiversity
We want to give as much space to nature as possible, including around our homes. Target species maps have been created for Steenslân II. These are maps of a species’ environmental requirements. The aim is for species that are already in the neighbourhood to find a home in the area. For Steenslân II, there are five target species, including the otter. The target species maps will be incorporated into the development plan and specifications for the site preparation and residential development.
You can find more information in the target species maps for Steenslân II.
Cultivating building materials
The City of Leeuwarden is to cultivate natural building materials at the site of the new Steenslân II district. These materials will later be used in the construction of the district. This makes it possible to build sustainably. You will find more information the page City of Leeuwarden cultivates circular building materials.
Availability of plots and homes
There are not yet any building plots, houses for sale, flats for sale or public housing available. It will be announced here as soon as we know when they will become available and how you can express your interest or sign up for them.
Newsletter
Contact
Do you have any questions about the Steenslân II project? Contact the City of Leeuwarden or send an email to steenslan@leeuwarden.nl.