The municipality of Westerveld has bought a campsite in Havelte. The plan is to build new homes here and to give existing homes a residential destination. That is good news for home seekers, but bad news for holidaymakers at Hesselte recreation park. They have to swerve and lie awake because of it.
“Great news, it’s a shock,” says Ton Kerkhoven. He has a chalet on Hesselte. “It is a beautiful piece of area that we have here. It is nice to spend a holiday, although permanent living is also tolerated. It is a pity that this is disappearing at the expense of construction. It is a place where people with a low budget can still enjoy a holiday. Affordable recreation is hard to find these days, most parks are expensive. This was doable for everyone.”
“My chalet is on private land,” he says with relief. “That’s lucky. But most people here will have to leave. The regulations have not yet been announced, we will soon hear about this at an information evening. I have to think carefully about whether I would like to continue to recreate here if there is only habitation around me I heard that the municipality is going to take the time for this, which is nice. But this is a difficult moment, especially for the people who enjoy it here. Where should they go? When the letter from the municipality fell on the mat we were shocked. This is not pleasant, it gives you sleepless nights.”
Mike Peters is also not happy with the situation. He has been camping at the campsite in Havelte for 52 years. “This is at the expense of us, people who have been coming here for many years. Drenthe and Westerveld are known for recreation, but we are being evicted. And our chalets and caravans will soon lose their value, which will have to be demolished if homes are built here. “
“In 2023, people can continue to recreate,” alderman Jacob Boonstra replies to this issue. “And we will soon also be discussing with holidaymakers what we are going to do and when this will become a residential destination. There will be an information evening. How do I view the possible loss of value? I have no answer to that. For the houses that are here, residential destination means increase in value. Something different indeed applies to the camping spots. We will discuss this with the placeholders.”
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