The municipality and its partners are exploring redevelopment options in the Molenberg neighborhood.
The municipality of Heerlen, Metropool Development, Lidl Netherlands, and Wonen Zuid have jointly signed a letter of intent. They will explore the possibility of revitalizing the Molenberg neighborhood. The plan is to build a new supermarket and, at the same time, construct new, future-ready homes.
A new boost for the neighborhood
If the plan goes ahead, the Lidl supermarket will move from Zondagstraat to a new location on Mijnspoorweg. With this move, Metropool and Lidl aim to better serve the eastern part of the city and strengthen the neighborhood.
The plan consists of:
• a modern, future-proof Lidl supermarket
• a diverse range of housing options, including apartments and single-family homes
• adequate parking facilities and an attractive public space
Marco Peters, Alderman Planning, explains:
“With this area development project, we aim to strengthen the neighborhood by adding approximately 100 homes across various segments. The Lidl supermarket is a gathering place, and preserving this local amenity is important for the Molenberg neighborhood. In addition, it will become more accessible to residents of other neighborhoods as well. Finally, we will also aan de slag met de of the current Lidl location on Zondagstraat.”
More than just building
This project isn’t just about buildings. It’s also about comfortable living, community life, and connecting with neighbors. The new supermarket will become an important gathering place for residents. In addition, there is a strong focus on creating a pleasant and sustainable environment—including space for greenery, water features, play areas, and social spaces. The project also prioritizes high-quality housing and an environment that is better equipped to handle heat and rain.
Next steps
The project has been launched with the signing of a letter of intent. In the coming period, the parties will further develop the plan. They will assess whether the plan is feasible. If the outcome is positive, the parties will finalize the agreements. The current Lidl on Zondagstraat will then close. Local residents and other stakeholders will be consulted in a timely manner regarding the plans.
First impressions
Please note: this sketch is only a preliminary impression of Metropool. It is not a final design. The image shows the general plans for the site and what it might look like. The actual plan will be further developed later during the study. No rights can be derived from this sketch.