Public-private partnership for the Gnephoek; 5,500 homes and 60 hectares of nature

11 March 2025

Area developer AM, BPD Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling, Volker Wessels Vastgoed, Van Omme&De Groot Projectontwikkelaars & Bouwers and Municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn reach agreement on the cooperation for the development of the Gnephoek. A special public-private partnership (PPP) that will work on the realization of 5,500 homes and 60 hectares of nature area. Of the homes, 60% will be affordable, half of which will be social rent.

The area development of the Gnephoek contributes to meeting Alphen aan den Rijn's housing needs and increasing biodiversity. Such major developments are only successful through cooperation with other public authorities and market parties. After the public parties concluded a management agreement last year and the national government granted a financial contribution, this public-private agreement is an important and essential step for the Gnephoek.

Shared ambition

The cooperation between AM, BPD, Volker Wessels, Van Omme&De Groot and the Municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn is based on a shared ambition for the Gnephoek. “By entering into this agreement with market parties, there is clarity about everyone's role and responsibilities. Together with them and input from stakeholders, we are going to develop a beautiful neighborhood in the Gnephoek. With new homes and facilities while at the same time improving water management and nature.” said Gerard van As, alderman of the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn.

Continued cooperation

Patrick Joosen, regional director BPD Zuid-West: “For us, the Gnephoek means the continuation of a successful collaboration. Area developments like the Gnephoek are special. How wonderful it is then that you come to an agreement with several parties. Finally, these kinds of collaborations lead to the most sustainable and innovative developments with an eye to the future.”

Gilbert Kokenberg, director of project development at AM: “The Gnephoek meets the enormous housing need in Alphen aan den Rijn. It is therefore good to see that public and private parties are working together on this large-scale area development with that goal in mind. Much attention is being paid to affordability and sustainability. And with the addition of 60 hectares of new nature, we are giving the Gnephoek a powerful landscape impulse.”

Special development

Marcel Schipper of VolkerWessels: “The Gnephoek will be a beautiful residential area on the outskirts of Alphen aan den Rijn, centrally located and close to nature. It will be an affordable neighborhood for many people and, of course, the homes will be built sustainably.”

Marco Dijkshoorn of Van Omme&De Groot: “We look forward to working with the market parties involved and the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn to realize an attractive new residential area focused on sustainability and future-proofing.”

Gnephoek: development of 5.500 homes, facilities and 60 hectares of nature

In the Gnephoek the parties are currently working on drawing up the Master Plan. An important principle is that living and nature come together here. This is a new way of area development and can serve as an example for the rest of the Netherlands. The new residential neighborhoods will be built on the strong soils along the river and in the northern part there will be a new nature reserve. In this neighborhood we will soon be able to collect twice as much rainwater as in a normal neighborhood. A new piece of Alphen aan den Rijn is being created here, where the neighborhoods are connected to the city and surrounded by new nature. In the design of the neighborhood, the community is paramount, so that the future residents can function well. Attention is paid to exercise, meeting people and a sustainable and healthy life, for now and for many generations to come.

The master plan will be developed in the coming months in close cooperation with local residents, stakeholders and interested parties.