Right on the edge of the village of Schimmert lies a remarkable place. Turn left just before the small chapel and you’ll find yourself in a tiny neighbourhood with eleven beautiful Tiny Houses and a shared community building called the ‘Bijgebouw’. This is Op de Bees: a sustainable tiny living community with a strong social and ecological character. Some homes are still under construction, while others are already fully inhabited. What started as an initiative by the municipality of Beekdaelen has grown into an inspiring example of small-scale living in Limburg.
From municipal initiative to resident-led project
Op de Bees originated from a call by the municipality of Beekdaelen. Through local media, interested people were invited to participate in a small-scale housing project. Due to the COVID period, the first meetings took place online, attracting around 150 registrations and 50 to 60 active participants.
Early in the process, future residents were presented with important choices: would the project be developed by an external party or by the group itself? And would there be a lottery system, or could the group form organically? The choice was made for self-development and a natural selection process. A project like this takes time — the municipality had already indicated beforehand that the process could take three to five years.
In practice, some participants dropped out along the way. Uncertainty about utilities played a role in this: initially the project seemed destined to become off-grid, but later connections turned out to be possible and eventually even mandatory. In the end, a committed and diverse group remained and realised the project together. Current residents range in age from a nine-month-old baby to 65 years old.
A location on the edge of the village
The current location was not the first site considered for Op de Bees. Initially, a location closer to the village was explored, but the group preferred the current site on the outskirts of Schimmert. The municipality was willing to purchase the land, making the project possible.
That decision turned out to be golden. The site borders open fields and is rich in nature. Residents regularly spot hares, pheasants, squirrels, birds of prey and many other bird species. This direct connection with the landscape forms an important part of the living experience.
Living with attention to nature and water
Alongside the residential area, a food forest is being developed. There is also room for education: together with IVN, a small educational food forest was created for a local primary school. Pupils visit several times a year to help with maintenance and harvesting.
Water also plays an important role in the site design. To prevent flooding, a wadi was created for water storage. In practice, it permanently contains water and now resembles more of a small canal or pond. This required some adjustments. Trees, for example, were not planted inside the wadi itself as originally intended, but higher up along the banks. The three Indian runner ducks living on the site do not mind the permanent water at all — it has become one of their favourite spots.
Working together with the surrounding community
Although one objection was filed during the permit phase, a great deal of effort was invested in communication with local residents. Several information meetings were organised and concerns — for example about parking and water management — were addressed successfully.
That effort paid off. There is now good contact with the neighbourhood. Some residents have joined the local neighbourhood association and one is active in local politics. Plans are also being made for open days, lectures and workshops, helping to make both the project and the tiny and sustainable living philosophy accessible to interested visitors.
At the same time, a conscious balance is maintained between openness and privacy. At the entrance to the site, a friendly sign asks visitors to announce themselves when the gate is open. This makes it possible to welcome visitors without disturbing the peace and quiet of residents.
A solid foundation: land, financing and cooperation
The homes are built on leasehold land, with permits extended every ten years (10+10+10), provided the project continues to function well. No formal evaluation process has been agreed upon, but if the project continues successfully, the residential function can in principle continue indefinitely. Should the municipality ever decide to sell the land, residents receive the first right to buy.
An important factor in the success of the project was the involvement of Triodos Bank. At an early stage, the bank helped think through financing options, enabling residents to obtain mortgages for their Tiny Houses. One condition, however, was that the homes comply with Dutch BENG energy-efficiency standards.
The municipality initially financed the infrastructure, with costs being settled through the leasehold construction. This arrangement made it possible for residents to realise the project together.
The ‘Bijgebouw’ as a connecting space
While the original plans only allowed room for eight or nine homes, the final site made space for eleven Tiny Houses as well as a shared community building. This ‘Bijgebouw’ — a playful reference to the name Op de Bees and to the municipal rule that no separate sheds or annexes may be added to the homes — is currently under construction and will serve an important social and educational purpose.
The building has largely been financed by the province, Rabobank and the Parkstad City Region (a collaboration between seven municipalities). It will not only be used by Op de Bees residents, but will also be available to the neighbourhood association and other local initiatives involving one or more residents. In this way, it forms a bridge between the Tiny House community and the wider community of Schimmert.
Tips from the residents of Op de Bees
- Make sure you have the municipality on your side
Show examples of places where successful and beautiful initiatives have already been realised. Also show that you are serious and committed to creating a high-quality project. Municipalities often still know very little about the tiny living philosophy and can sometimes be wary of what they see as ‘new-age traveller practices’.
- Ask yourself what matters most
“Do I want to fulfil all my personal wishes, or do I want to create a sustainable tiny living community together?”
Be willing to adjust your wishes and conditions where necessary. Living and working together — for example with municipalities — also requires a willingness to compromise.
- Connect with the neighbourhood early on
Be open, show your enthusiasm and be honest and transparent about the project. And every now and then, bake some delicious cookies or waffles to bring to your neighbours. 😉
Photo credits: Marjolein Jonker, Smeets Houtbouw, Louis en Annemieke
Leave a Reply