Working together on new policy for caravans
The City of Leeuwarden has enacted new policy with regard to the caravans within the city. This page will tell you what we have done so far, what is changing and what we are still going to do.
Walk-in meeting on 20 November 2025
We would like to hear your opinion about the new policy. You can drop by at any time. There is no need to register.
- Where: BV Sport Kalverdijkje (swimming pool), Kalverdijkje 77a, Leeuwarden
- When: Thursday 20 November
- Time: 19:30-21:30
Do you know someone who would like to come, but hasn’t received a message? If so, they are welcome at the walk-in consultation on 20 November at BV Sport Kalverdijkje.
Can’t make it?
Then you can also drop by during consulting hours, on Tuesday 25 November between 09:00 and 12:00 or on Thursday 27 November between 13:00 and 17:00, both at town hall. You can make an appointment by sending an email to wonen@leeuwarden.nl or by contacting us.
What we have done so far
- We started an investigation into the preferences of caravan residents in January 2025.
- We shared the results in June 2025.
- We next spoke to residents about the results and if anything was still unclear.
The investigation has shown that:
- there is a lot of demand for new sites;
- residents want clear rules about registering and allocation;
- having a fixed contact person is appreciated.
We then used these points as the starting point for a new policy together with the residents.
What is the new policy?
- More space for caravans. Anyone who wants to live in a caravan, should be given the opportunity to do so. The waiting period should not exceed that of social housing.
- More sites
- The local authority wants to realise around 30 new sites.
- There will be one or two locations:
- One for funfair families
- One for other families
- One administrating organisation
- There are currently two administrators: the local authority and WoonFriesland. Soon, there will be one single administrator that takes care of everything: letting, registering and allocating.
- Allocating sites The order for allocating sites is:
- Family members in the first degree: parents, partner, children.
- Family members in the second degree: brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren and parents-in-law.
- Persons from a caravan community working in Leeuwarden.
- Other persons working in Leeuwarden.
Those who have been registered longest, will be given priority within groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. Receiving an income from a funfair is not longer a requirement.
- Better contact with residents
- there will be a fixed contact person;
- we will determine together with residents who can represent their interests.
More information can be found in the document Summary new policy caravans.
The city council decided on 4 November 2025 that the draft policy document can be shared. You can find these documents below:
Investigation
The first step was a survey. The local authority wanted to know how many people would like a caravan site. Almost 90% of residents and interested parties from the 4 caravan sites in Leeuwarden participated in the survey.
Main findings of the survey
- there are many people who want a caravan site: 44 adults and 14 children want one between now and 8 years.
- half of these people want a site as soon as possible.
- most people would like to live in a site that already exists. If that is not possible, a new site is also acceptable.
- many people like to live with family members.
- most residents who have a site now want to stay there.
- many people want more information about how the sites will be allocated, how to register and how maintenance will be arranged.
- many residents feel that contact with the local authority could be better.
What are we going to do
End of 2025
- Contact person Tjallingaweg starts
- Search for new locations
- Walk-in meeting on 20 November
- Possible changes to policy
Start of 2026
- City council discusses new policy
- City council sets policy
Afterwards
- Jan–July 2026: Who represents residents?
- Feb–dec 2026: Researching new locations
- 2026–2027: Discussions about a single administrator
- 2031–2033: New sites ready
More information
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Walk-in meeting on 20 November 2025
We would like to hear your opinion about the new policy. You can drop by at any time. There is no need to register.
- Where: BV Sport Kalverdijkje (swimming pool), Kalverdijkje 77a, Leeuwarden
- When: Thursday 20 November
- Time: 19:30-21:30
Do you know someone who would like to come, but hasn’t received a message? If so, they are welcome at the walk-in consultation on 20 November at BV Sport Kalverdijkje.
Can’t make it?
Then you can also drop by during consulting hours, on Tuesday 25 November between 09:00 and 12:00 or on Thursday 27 November between 13:00 and 17:00, both at town hall. You can make an appointment by sending an email to wonen@leeuwarden.nl or by contacting us.
What we have done so far
- We started an investigation into the preferences of caravan residents in January 2025.
- We shared the results in June 2025.
- We next spoke to residents about the results and if anything was still unclear.
The investigation has shown that:
- there is a lot of demand for new sites;
- residents want clear rules about registering and allocation;
- having a fixed contact person is appreciated.
We then used these points as the starting point for a new policy together with the residents.
What is the new policy?
- More space for caravans. Anyone who wants to live in a caravan, should be given the opportunity to do so. The waiting period should not exceed that of social housing.
- More sites
- The local authority wants to realise around 30 new sites.
- There will be one or two locations:
- One for funfair families
- One for other families
- One administrating organisation
- There are currently two administrators: the local authority and WoonFriesland. Soon, there will be one single administrator that takes care of everything: letting, registering and allocating.
- Allocating sites The order for allocating sites is:
- Family members in the first degree: parents, partner, children.
- Family members in the second degree: brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren and parents-in-law.
- Persons from a caravan community working in Leeuwarden.
- Other persons working in Leeuwarden.
Those who have been registered longest, will be given priority within groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. Receiving an income from a funfair is not longer a requirement.
- Better contact with residents
- there will be a fixed contact person;
- we will determine together with residents who can represent their interests.
More information can be found in the document Summary new policy caravans.
The city council decided on 4 November 2025 that the draft policy document can be shared. You can find these documents below:
Investigation
The first step was a survey. The local authority wanted to know how many people would like a caravan site. Almost 90% of residents and interested parties from the 4 caravan sites in Leeuwarden participated in the survey.
Main findings of the survey
- there are many people who want a caravan site: 44 adults and 14 children want one between now and 8 years.
- half of these people want a site as soon as possible.
- most people would like to live in a site that already exists. If that is not possible, a new site is also acceptable.
- many people like to live with family members.
- most residents who have a site now want to stay there.
- many people want more information about how the sites will be allocated, how to register and how maintenance will be arranged.
- many residents feel that contact with the local authority could be better.
What are we going to do
End of 2025
- Contact person Tjallingaweg starts
- Search for new locations
- Walk-in meeting on 20 November
- Possible changes to policy
Start of 2026
- City council discusses new policy
- City council sets policy
Afterwards
- Jan–July 2026: Who represents residents?
- Feb–dec 2026: Researching new locations
- 2026–2027: Discussions about a single administrator
- 2031–2033: New sites ready
More information
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.