The municipalities of Westerveld and De Wolden are “somewhat concerned” about the arrival of a theme park in Meppel. The concerns are about the ambitions that the municipalities themselves have for the area.
The two municipalities point to the generation of sustainable energy, traffic and mobility, agriculture, housing, recreation and experience. According to De Wolden and Westerveld, the choice of the theme park can hinder them from realizing their own ambitions. The two municipalities have urged Meppel to take this into account when further developing the plans.
The French Puy du Fou wants to start a 60-hectare theme park near Meppel. The intended location is an area in the north of the municipality of Meppel. It is mainly agricultural land, where about 25 people live. The area is actually a three-municipality point, and borders the municipalities of Westerveld and De Wolden. Until 1998 it still fell under the municipality of Havelte, but after the municipal reorganization it belongs to the municipality of Meppel.