An investment of €8bn in the Dutch countryside would improve the quality of life significantly and generate income of €25bn, according to a report by research group Witteveen en Bos for farm minister Gerda Verburg.

It is the first time a cost-benefit analysis has been made of investing in the countryside, the Volkskrant says. The report is based on simulated investment in three areas, such as wall-building, tree planting and developing cycle paths. Such investments result in higher house prices and more leisure opportunities, researcher Elisabeth Ruijgrok told the paper.