Archaeology
The City of Leeuwarden has a lot of historical heritage. The most well-known example are the mounds. We want to preserve archaeological remains in the ground as much as possible. We also want to put them on display and have everyone be able to experience them.
What you need to know
Are you excavating in an area with Archaeology Value? In that case, you may need to apply for an environmental permit. This is how we protect archaeological findings, the landscape and our heritage.
Examples of excavation work:
- Building a house or shed.
- Laying a path, road or hardened terrain.
- Digging or draining ditches and raising or lowering the ground.
- Planting or cutting down trees and shrubs.
- Building a horse arena.
- Storing items or waste.
- Growing maize.
- Laying of cables and pipelines.
Environmental permit and archaeology in environment plans
Environmental permit
In an area of archaeological value, for construction, demolition or excavation work in the following cases, you must always apply for an environmental permit to carry out work via the Environment Desk (opens in new tab):
- For an area with Archaeology Value 1, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 25 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 2, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 50 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 3, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 100 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 4, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 500 m2 and deeper than 0.5 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 5, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 2,500 m2 and deeper than 0.5 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 6, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 10,000 m2 and deeper than 0.5 m below ground level.
- A site has an Archaeological-Value protected national monument and the proposed soil disturbance is deeper than 0.30 m below ground level.
- A site has an Archaeological-Value protected national monument and the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 25 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
You’ll find where these Areas of Value Archaeology are located in the environment plan for partial review of archaeology.
More information
You will find more information on the following website:
You will find more information on the following pages:
Charges
An integrated physical environment permit cost at least €636.63. These costs depend on the amount of work.
Laws and regulations
The following laws can be found on the website Overheid.nl (national) (opens in new tab):
- Environment and Planning Act
- Heritage Act
The following regulations can be found on the website Overheid.nl (local) (opens in new tab):
- Leeuwarden Environment Plan (select in the Environment Desk – Rules on the Map: Environment Plan for Partial Review for Archaeology)
Questions
Have you already checked the website of the Environment Desk (opens in new tab)?
No, I have not yet checked
First check for yourself. It may not be necessary to make an appointment.
Yes, I have checked, but I do not understand how it works
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Quick to:
What you need to know
Are you excavating in an area with Archaeology Value? In that case, you may need to apply for an environmental permit. This is how we protect archaeological findings, the landscape and our heritage.
Examples of excavation work:
- Building a house or shed.
- Laying a path, road or hardened terrain.
- Digging or draining ditches and raising or lowering the ground.
- Planting or cutting down trees and shrubs.
- Building a horse arena.
- Storing items or waste.
- Growing maize.
- Laying of cables and pipelines.
Environmental permit and archaeology in environment plans
Environmental permit
In an area of archaeological value, for construction, demolition or excavation work in the following cases, you must always apply for an environmental permit to carry out work via the Environment Desk (opens in new tab):
- For an area with Archaeology Value 1, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 25 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 2, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 50 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 3, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 100 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 4, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 500 m2 and deeper than 0.5 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 5, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 2,500 m2 and deeper than 0.5 m below ground level.
- For an area with Archaeology Value 6, the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 10,000 m2 and deeper than 0.5 m below ground level.
- A site has an Archaeological-Value protected national monument and the proposed soil disturbance is deeper than 0.30 m below ground level.
- A site has an Archaeological-Value protected national monument and the proposed soil disturbance is greater than 25 m2 and deeper than 0.3 m below ground level.
You’ll find where these Areas of Value Archaeology are located in the environment plan for partial review of archaeology.
More information
You will find more information on the following website:
You will find more information on the following pages:
Charges
An integrated physical environment permit cost at least €636.63. These costs depend on the amount of work.
Laws and regulations
The following laws can be found on the website Overheid.nl (national) (opens in new tab):
- Environment and Planning Act
- Heritage Act
The following regulations can be found on the website Overheid.nl (local) (opens in new tab):
- Leeuwarden Environment Plan (select in the Environment Desk – Rules on the Map: Environment Plan for Partial Review for Archaeology)
Questions
Have you already checked the website of the Environment Desk (opens in new tab)?
No, I have not yet checked
First check for yourself. It may not be necessary to make an appointment.
Yes, I have checked, but I do not understand how it works
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.