The residents of the search area then set to work intensively for two years to identify opportunities and concerns. LEIS was engaged by residents and the municipality to provide guidance and support in drawing up an area vision and subsequent energy plan.

A common thread running through the process is control and values. From the beginning of the process, residents have not been in favour of installing wind turbines in their area. After all, the environment will change, differently than it was and differently than expected. But such an area development, with good cooperation, can also offer opportunities in addition to changes not expected.

Residents and landowners are at the centre of an area process, individuals who look at their living and working environment through different lenses. They have the best ideas for their surroundings. These may clash with frameworks and wishes: change evokes emotion. Those individual messages are heard. What opportunities are there, what needs to be explored, and what desire, anger or fear is there. How can we deal with all these sounds so that residents feel heard?

Through kitchen table talks, residents' evenings, working group meetings and external surveys, the residents of the search area explored the opportunities and obstacles step by step and revealed the general feeling in the area.

A final survey of residents in the search area shows that opinions are divided on whether or not to present an energy plan to the municipality. Concerns about feasibility, liveability and the need for further research play a major role.

The last residents' evening was held in November 2023, during which the results of the survey were discussed and the residents worked together to come up with a joint formulation towards the municipal council. They decided to ask the city council for a one-year postponement, to do (or have done) further research.

It is expected that the college and council of Dalfsen municipality will come up with a response to the letter in early 2024. Depending on the municipal council's response, the residents will decide how they want to continue the process.

See also the website of Municipality of Dalfsen.