Monument Conservation
There are many old and special buildings in the City of Leeuwarden. To preserve them well, you cannot just start rebuilding. This sometimes requires a listed buildings permit.
Do you need a permit?
Do you want to know if your building is a local monument or a national monument? This information is available on the Monument Information Map for the City of Leeuwarden. Maintenance is subject to the ERM implementation guidelines. These guidelines can be found on the website of Stichting Erkende Restauratiekwaliteit Monumentenzorg. You do not need a permit for some activities. You will find a list of them below:
| What are you planning to do? | Permit-free | Conditions and explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition of later additions without monumental value within the building |
|
Additions that clearly show no monumental values. Often, a demolition notification is required, along with an asbestos survey. |
| Foundations |
|
None. |
| Concrete structures |
|
None. |
| Masonry |
|
Mortar composition must match the existing one. |
| Pointing |
|
None. |
| Facade cleaning | Façade cleaning is not permitted, except when necessary, for example, to remove graffiti. | |
| Stone sealing | Only permitted in special cases. | |
| Wall anchors |
|
None. |
| Historical timber structures |
|
None. |
| Roof boarding |
|
Applying roof boarding on non-tiled roof is better for the monument. |
| Metal structures |
|
None. |
| Chimneys |
|
Putting back a chimney that was once there is also a modification. |
| Frames, windows and doors |
|
Full replacement does not fall under this category. |
| Stairways |
|
None. |
| Roof coverings |
|
None. |
| Lead/copper/zinc |
|
Replacement of zinc in a gutter is considered a repair. |
| Glazing |
|
Glass must be installed with putty (or a putty substitute). |
| Paintwork |
|
The local authority advises owners on using old or historically appropriate colours. |
| Natural and artificial stone |
|
None. |
| Protected gardens, parks and cemeteries |
|
None. |
Applying for a grant or financial aid
Apply for a grant or make use of other financial assistance. More information can be found on the Monument Grant page.
Local monument status
The local authority can designate a building, bridge, park or special fence a municipal monument. In some cases, this status this applies to part of a building. The local authority can also designate an archaeological site or a landscape feature as a monument. For more information on archaeological sites and landscape features, visit the Work in landscape heritage page.
First, research into history and values is carried out
Has your research shown that something is valuable and special? If so, the local authority will officially designate it as a municipal monument. You can find these official steps in the document Roadmap designation procedure local monuments. You will find more information in the leaflet and among the FAQs.
Is my building, property or land suitable as a local monument?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden or email monumentenzorg@leeuwarden.nl.
Conserving listed buildings
Use De Groene menukaart to find out what you can do, what financial assistance is available to you and what rules to follow.
Monument Preservation newsletter
The Monument Conservation newsletter is published four times a year. It contains information on monuments and archaeology. Would you like to receive this newsletter? If so, please email monumentenzorg@leeuwarden.nl.
Drilling in Wood
In 2022, the community art project De Baren used burial mound (‘terp’) Nijehove, the highest terp under Leeuwarden, as a site for art during Arcadia. Artists exhibited their work there and there were performances. There was also a route that took visitors on a journey through the past, present and future. The main question was: ‘Who lives here and what do they care about?’ That is how De Baren brought together the present and the past.
The study of terp houses
The City of Leeuwarden conducted the Boren in Hout (drilling in wood) project. Home owners on the terp their wooden components inspected by dendrochronologist Paul Borghaerts. Historian Henk Oly looked at who had owned the houses and who lived there. They jointly presented the results at the Waalse Kerk on 28, 29 and 30 July 2022. Everyone was welcome to come and take a look. On 7 December 2023, they presented the Boren in Hout report. They handed it to the owners and others involved.
Questions or need help?
Do you need help or have any questions? If so, contact the City of Leeuwarden. You will also find information at the Omgevingsloket.
Charges
Sometimes you pay fees for an environmental permit for listed buildings. The Fees Table of General Fees Ordinance states when this is and how much it costs in case of use that conflicts with zoning plans. The rates for the assessment by the Welstandscommissie can be found on the Hûs en hiem website.
Laws and regulations
The following regulations can be found on the website Overheid.nl(local):
- Implementation guidelines for Monumentenzorg Leeuwarden
- Housing ordinance, City of Leeuwarden
Do you need a permit?
Do you want to know if your building is a local monument or a national monument? This information is available on the Monument Information Map for the City of Leeuwarden. Maintenance is subject to the ERM implementation guidelines. These guidelines can be found on the website of Stichting Erkende Restauratiekwaliteit Monumentenzorg. You do not need a permit for some activities. You will find a list of them below:
| What are you planning to do? | Permit-free | Conditions and explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition of later additions without monumental value within the building |
|
Additions that clearly show no monumental values. Often, a demolition notification is required, along with an asbestos survey. |
| Foundations |
|
None. |
| Concrete structures |
|
None. |
| Masonry |
|
Mortar composition must match the existing one. |
| Pointing |
|
None. |
| Facade cleaning | Façade cleaning is not permitted, except when necessary, for example, to remove graffiti. | |
| Stone sealing | Only permitted in special cases. | |
| Wall anchors |
|
None. |
| Historical timber structures |
|
None. |
| Roof boarding |
|
Applying roof boarding on non-tiled roof is better for the monument. |
| Metal structures |
|
None. |
| Chimneys |
|
Putting back a chimney that was once there is also a modification. |
| Frames, windows and doors |
|
Full replacement does not fall under this category. |
| Stairways |
|
None. |
| Roof coverings |
|
None. |
| Lead/copper/zinc |
|
Replacement of zinc in a gutter is considered a repair. |
| Glazing |
|
Glass must be installed with putty (or a putty substitute). |
| Paintwork |
|
The local authority advises owners on using old or historically appropriate colours. |
| Natural and artificial stone |
|
None. |
| Protected gardens, parks and cemeteries |
|
None. |
Applying for a grant or financial aid
Apply for a grant or make use of other financial assistance. More information can be found on the Monument Grant page.
Local monument status
The local authority can designate a building, bridge, park or special fence a municipal monument. In some cases, this status this applies to part of a building. The local authority can also designate an archaeological site or a landscape feature as a monument. For more information on archaeological sites and landscape features, visit the Work in landscape heritage page.
First, research into history and values is carried out
Has your research shown that something is valuable and special? If so, the local authority will officially designate it as a municipal monument. You can find these official steps in the document Roadmap designation procedure local monuments. You will find more information in the leaflet and among the FAQs.
Is my building, property or land suitable as a local monument?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden or email monumentenzorg@leeuwarden.nl.
Conserving listed buildings
Use De Groene menukaart to find out what you can do, what financial assistance is available to you and what rules to follow.
Monument Preservation newsletter
The Monument Conservation newsletter is published four times a year. It contains information on monuments and archaeology. Would you like to receive this newsletter? If so, please email monumentenzorg@leeuwarden.nl.
Drilling in Wood
In 2022, the community art project De Baren used burial mound (‘terp’) Nijehove, the highest terp under Leeuwarden, as a site for art during Arcadia. Artists exhibited their work there and there were performances. There was also a route that took visitors on a journey through the past, present and future. The main question was: ‘Who lives here and what do they care about?’ That is how De Baren brought together the present and the past.
The study of terp houses
The City of Leeuwarden conducted the Boren in Hout (drilling in wood) project. Home owners on the terp their wooden components inspected by dendrochronologist Paul Borghaerts. Historian Henk Oly looked at who had owned the houses and who lived there. They jointly presented the results at the Waalse Kerk on 28, 29 and 30 July 2022. Everyone was welcome to come and take a look. On 7 December 2023, they presented the Boren in Hout report. They handed it to the owners and others involved.
Questions or need help?
Do you need help or have any questions? If so, contact the City of Leeuwarden. You will also find information at the Omgevingsloket.
Charges
Sometimes you pay fees for an environmental permit for listed buildings. The Fees Table of General Fees Ordinance states when this is and how much it costs in case of use that conflicts with zoning plans. The rates for the assessment by the Welstandscommissie can be found on the Hûs en hiem website.
Laws and regulations
The following regulations can be found on the website Overheid.nl(local):
- Implementation guidelines for Monumentenzorg Leeuwarden
- Housing ordinance, City of Leeuwarden