their current condition. In particular, due to an increased risk of failure mechanisms, such as piping and the occurrence of seepage, the current safety standards will eventually prove to be insufficient.

An important item on the (electoral) agenda for the Water Boards is therefore the performance of work on primary flood defenses in particular, such as, for example, the expansion of the so-called "profile of free space" or protection zones and dike elevations - also known as a legger revision.

The work is expected to extend over 300 kilometers of primary flood defenses within the next five years.

These activities are necessary to maintain dry feet, but may affect the interests of local residents and surrounding businesses, and in some cases may be disproportionate. Indeed, expansion of such zones can significantly limit the uses available to owners of parcels in these zones. It can make the difference between building and not building, even if the zoning ordinance allows for construction.

Legal frameworks therefore play an important role in the interplay of interests that arises in such cases.

Wintertaling's Construction and Real Estate Law Section has years of experience in advocacy in project and area development, including in the area of objecting to dredge revisions. If you have received a letter from the Water Board announcing such work and have questions about it, please feel free to contact us.