The factions in the municipality of Loon op Zand support Mayor Hanne van Aart, who believes that Efteling has not been favored during the corona pandemic. She responded on Friday to an investigation by Omroep Brabant, which gave the impression that the municipality was a lot more lenient with laws and regulations for Efteling than for other entrepreneurs.
The municipality of Loon op Zand dealt creatively with the rules during the corona crisis, as shown by more than two hundred emails and other documents that the municipality made public at the request of Omroep Brabant.
Catering establishments and terraces were closed, while additional terraces were allowed to be installed in the Efteling. A supermarket was also allowed to be opened in the amusement park, while normally a permit is required and the zoning plan must allow it. By calling it a ‘department store’, the Spar supermarket could still be built.
Mayor Van Aart explains that everything went smoothly at the time: “Every entrepreneur in our municipality has had opportunities to continue their business operations during corona times. Nothing has happened that cannot withstand the light of day.”
“Those three thousand people who work there should not be victims.”
Party chairman Henk van Komen of Gemeentebelangen, the largest party in Loon op Zand, says that it was ‘a very complicated situation at the time, with tolerance and special rules’. “You cannot compare the Efteling with a café on the Markt in Kaatsheuvel. During corona times, we looked at how we could help all entrepreneurs, and especially a large company like the Efteling. We wanted to ensure that the 3,000 people who work there works did not suffer as a result.”
Van Komen says that the factions are in favor of ‘equal monks, equal hoods, a level playing field for everyone’. “But in times of corona that was a very difficult one. Yet I do not have the impression that Efteling has been favored and that other entrepreneurs have been treated differently.”
“We expect civil servants to be critical and to have discussions.”
Maaike Mesdag, party leader of Pro3: “At the time, we always insisted on thinking along with the entrepreneurs and delivering customized solutions. As far as we know, that has been done. That there were discussions between civil servants about how to deal with Efteling. in times of corona, is no surprise to her. “We also expect that they are critical, that is part of their job. Ultimately it is up to the mayor to make the final decision.”
Mesdag does not believe that Efteling was given more space and more margins than other entrepreneurs. “As much as possible has been thought through with all entrepreneurs who were in danger of getting into trouble due to the pandemic.” She also says: I can imagine that, and this applies to everyone who had to deal with the consequences of corona, the gray area in the regulations was sought. And I assume that Efteling did that too.”
VVD faction leader Michel Verhoeven wants to ask questions about the issue during the council meeting on December 14. “Hopefully there will be more clarity.”
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