Province threatens Groningen with €100,000 fine over bat flight route |
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Ecological agreements still enforceable years later
The province of Groningen wants to impose a fine of €100,000 on the municipality of Groningen. According to the province, the municipality is not complying with the agreements set out in a nature exemption for bats near Europapark station. The municipality disagrees. The case is now before the Council of State.
According to the province, the municipality must ensure a continuous line of tree canopies along the station. These trees are meant to shield the station lighting so that bats can fly safely. In practice, this is not the case, according to the province. The trees have been pruned incorrectly, meaning the canopies do not touch. There are also dead trees in between.
An inspector visited the area again this week. During that visit, it was also established that the lighting at the station is not bat-friendly.
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The municipality states that it has indeed taken measures and that the tree structure was still approved in 2021, but that insights have since changed.
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Enforcement following action by Bat Group
The enforcement action follows a request from the Stichting Vleermuisgroep Groningen. In 2020, the organisation approached the Provincial Executive, arguing that the municipality was not complying with the rules. That request was initially rejected, but after a court ruling the province was required to intervene after all.
According to the Bat Group, the original plan was to build a small canopy for the flight route. That plan was abandoned due to concerns about social safety. The municipality then opted to plant trees close together instead.
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For municipalities and contractors, the case shows that ecological agreements on lighting, pruning and management can still be reviewed and enforced years later.
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Municipality disputes criticism
The municipality states that it has taken measures and also says that insights have changed and that the tree structure was still approved in 2021.
The Council of State is expected to deliver its ruling in the coming weeks. For municipalities and contractors, the case shows that ecological agreements on lighting, pruning and management can still be reviewed and enforced years later.
This article was previously published on 28 January 2026 on the website of Stad + Groen:
stad-en-groen.nl.
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