Some members of Lelystad’s city council questioned a traffic study into the planned circular craft centre at Vaartweg 85 on the Noordersluis business site. The centre, which HVC intends to establish, would combine a waste disposal station, a recycling shop and small businesses. A study by Witteveen+Bos, commissioned by HVC, concluded in August that no major traffic problems were expected, but businesses in the area and several political groups said the study underestimated visitor numbers and traffic, including during the afternoon peak.

The researcher said some criticisms were incorrect but acknowledged a calculation error and wording that did not match the figures, and promised to provide the council with a corrected version. Alderman Rhody Matthijs said he had no doubts about the study’s independence, while acknowledging the errors. A municipal environmental manager apologized for not sharing the study with the Platform Noordersluis, which is intended to represent local businesses. The council wants more information about issues including access and a possible easement around Vaartweg 85; Forum voor Democratie and the VVD have opposed the proposed location and asked the municipal executive to consider another site.