The area under discussion is the Hertogin Hedwige polder in the south-western province of Zeeland. Ed Nijpels, who chaired the advisory committee, said he understands local sensitivities.

"I know the proverb 'a person from Zeeland doesn't relinquish land to water' but we can't get around it if we want to restore nature," Nijpels said. Zeeland is largely below sea level and suffered a major flood in 1953 in which 1,835 people died.

In 2005 the Netherlands and Belgium agreed to deepen the Westerschelde (the estuary connecting the Scheldt river to the North Sea) to restore damage to the local environment and protect the adjoining Antwerp region from flooding.

Part of this deal was to give the 300 hectare Hedwige polder back to the sea. The Belgians agreed to pay for the work because developing the Westerschelde estuary is important for Antwerp harbour.

However Dutch politicians, both national and local, objected to the plan and the government set up the advisory committee led by Nijpels to look into alternatives.

The committee examined 78 options, but concluded that the most effective solution is to stick with the original plan to return the Hertogin Hedwige polder to the sea.

Not just because of the Belgian agreement, but "to contribute to nature preservation and meet European nature regulations," said Nijpels. "Flooding this polder is only the beginning. To really restore nature in the Westerschelde, we need to flood another 1,500 to 3,000 hectares."

The Hertogin Hedwige polder was reclaimed from the sea in 1907. The owner of the farmland involved has so far not been willing to cooperate with the plans to allow the sea to take back the area.