These are almost two forbidden words in Heijnen houses: ‘holiday park’ and ‘Dommelsvoort’. The plan for the yet to be built recreational residence has 550 houses and 400 berths for boats, near the village of Linden. Many residents are against the arrival, just like Mien (79). But her husband Fons (85) is a big supporter of the new holiday park. “They say it gets very busy here, but what can tourists get here?”
The couple lives on the edge of the Kraaijenbergse Plassen in Linden. An oasis of tall grass, green bushes and purple flowers can be seen from their living room. In the distance you can just see the edge of the lake, with the church of Beers on the horizon.
“Isn’t it beautiful, this view,” says Mien. “Look, there above the grass you see the sail of a windsurfer passing by”, her husband adds.
The new park is to be built on the other side of the pond, near Beers. Many residents of Linden fear that their village will be overrun by tourists.
“I don’t know if Linden can handle that.”
But Fons is happy to see the holiday park coming. He used to be an architectural draftsman. “This will be a very nice holiday park with plenty of room for greenery. You won’t even notice that there are so many houses. And those boats? There’s plenty of room on the lake.”
Mien interrupts her husband. “I don’t need it. All those extra people coming through the village… I don’t know if Linden can handle it.”
“It’s really busy here two or three times a year.”
“Look outside,” Fons responds. “Is it busy now?” The street in front of their house is deserted. “So it’s almost always like that,” he says with a broad smile on his face. “It’s really busy here two or three times a year because of cars with boats behind it. Yes, and…”, he says with a shrug.
His wife snaps again. “Coincidentally, it’s quiet today,” says the lady of the house. “But the new park will soon provide more traffic through Linden, Fons!”, she shouts. “As it is now, it is beautiful. With that peace that we have always enjoyed.”
“What is the alternative?”
Fons: “I think the objections are exaggerated. And what is the alternative? Industry or a new residential area? That doesn’t look good. This plan really pays attention to nature. It’s a nice solution.”
Holiday park provider Topparken also wants to build two towers in the figurative backyard of their house. Fund shrugs. “It will stick out here like a thumb above the trees. You will hardly see that later. I must also say that our house is the lowest in this street.”
“I’m sure we’ll be very happy with this in 100 years.”
It continues to squabble for a while, but it is no longer possible to convince each other. “We don’t often discuss it anymore. I know how he feels about it and he knows it about me.” Fons: “By the time the entire park is finished, we won’t be alive anyway. But I’m sure we’ll be very happy with this in 100 years.”
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