The municipality of Schagen said it was pleased that the government had not yet made a final decision on the proposed expansion of shooting exercises at Petten. The Ministry of Defence wants to increase the number of shooting days from 20 to 45 a year as part of the National Programme for Space for Defence. Ammunition is tested and fired towards the sea from the coast, and the plans have raised concerns about noise and effects on nearby nature reserves, including Korfwater.

Alderman Simco Kruijer said the effects on residents, nature and the environment should first be examined. Further authorisation procedures can follow only once those effects are better understood. The government has decided that higher noise levels will be permitted at Petten, raising the maximum average noise load from 50 to 60 decibels.