Good practice:

Factory site 'Rusthove': new future for industrial heritage

Near the village of Wirdum one can step back in time and witness the prosperity of the brick industry at the beginning of the 19th century. Until now it is a complete ensemble consisting of the estate and 'borg' or stronghold 'Rusthoven' with its industrial site and brick factory. And the neighbouring estate and stronghold 'Ekestein'.
The strongholds and estates of 'Rusthoven' and 'Ekestein' (both listed buildings) are privately owned. Part of the estate is owned by Foundation Staatsbosbeheer. After closure of the brick factory in 1965, none of the plans for the demolishment of the industrial site and its historic factory came to realisation. The factory of 'Rusthoven' is an unique historic ring-kiln. Only nine ring-kilns are left of in total 148 once present in the Netherlands. 'Rusthoven' is the only one left in the Province of Groningen. Due to its heritage value, the complete ensemble present and the new inhabitants of the kiln; bats, in 2016 the municipality of Loppersum and the Province of Groningen conducted a spatial development plan.
In 2019 this resulted in the purchase of the industrial site 'Rusthoven' and its ring-kiln from the private owner by the Foundation Groninger Landscape (Het Groninger Landschap).

Project costs are estimated:
- Clean up infected ground € 457.000
- Structure the site € 80.000
- Conservation of the ring-kiln € 131.000
Total € 670.000

The unique historic ring-kiln will be conserved in its current state and kept safe for the future. The kiln, the surrounding industrial and cultural landscape tell the story of a prosperous past and are very educational for the villagers and tourists. The neighbouring estate attracts dozens of visitors. The site opens in 2022. With the conservation of the kiln, also the seven bat species that use the ruin are protected. Nature and landscape patterns of the industrial past are maintained.

This project is an example where different disciplines concerning heritage, landscape, ecology, liveability and environment work together to create a sustainable and complete cultural landscape.
The Province of Groningen stressed out the importance of the consent from the inhabitants of the nearby village with the plans.
The project is funded by Foundation Groninger Landscape, the local municipality, the Province of Groningen and by crowdfunding. Management of the site is funded by nature conservation subsidies. To gain subsidy for maintenance of the ring-kiln, it must first be granted a listed status.