The mayor and aldermen of the municipality of Loon op Zand will not stop the demolition of the Spookslot in the Efteling. They announced on Friday evening that this attraction of the fairytale park in Kaatsheuvel will not be a municipal monument.
B and W disregard substantive preservation and they also believe that a monument status will harm Efteling’s business operations. The park management wants to build a new attraction and a new hotel on the site of the Spookslot, it was announced in January. The Spookslot will be open for the last time this weekend and as far as the college of Loon op Zand is concerned, demolition can start on Monday.
Appeal is still possible
The Cuypers Society and the Working Group Nostalgische Efteling did not want to accept the proposed demolition. They had asked the B and W to designate the Spookslot as a municipal monument. They can still appeal the decision.
Alderman Riekje van Vugt-Buter: “We have weighed up the interests very carefully. As a municipality, we must protect cultural-historically valuable objects. On the other hand, a monumental designation not only limits the ownership rights but also the business operations of the Efteling.”
With their decision, she and her board members disregard a suggestion from the municipal Spatial Quality Committee. (CRK). Van Vugt-Buter: “We will not adopt the CRK’s suggestion to obtain external expertise. That takes time. And there is simply not enough time. There is no monumental protection on the Spookslot and that gives the Efteling the right to begin demolition on Monday.”
ALSO READ:
Exclusive Haunted Slot stuff is being resold en masse on Marktplaats
Spookslot 1978-2022: luckily we still have the photos
Efteling is going to build a new attraction and hotel, Spookslot will be demolished