The future of more holiday parks owned by entrepreneur Peter Gillis seems to be hanging by a thread. Several municipalities are currently investigating whether action can be taken. They do not want to say whether the closure of the park in Ommel plays a role in this, but it seems unlikely that Prinsenmeer will be the last park to close.
On Wednesday, the municipality of Asten, which includes Ommel, announced that Prinsenmeer must close. A Bibob investigation showed that there is a danger that Gillis will use his permits for criminal purposes.
Omroep Brabant asked other municipalities with Gillis parks about the state of affairs. There appear to be more parks hanging by a thread.
Operating permit = research
Peter Gillis’ Oostappen Group has eleven parks in the Netherlands and Belgium. In several places it is very questionable whether things can remain open for much longer. For example, Heelderpeel park in Limburg could easily be the next Gillis park to close.
The municipality of Maasgouw has announced that a Bibob investigation is currently underway to determine whether an operating permit can be issued for Heelderpeel. It is exactly such a study that killed Gillis in Ommel.
These are the Gillis parks that are also currently threatened with closure:
- Brugse Heide, Valkenswaard
Here too, the municipality wants Gillis to arrange an operating permit. This will be followed by a Bibob investigation such as in Ommel. The catering industry at this park is already closed. - Heelderpeel, Maasgouw (Limburg)
Bibob investigation for operating permit is underway, municipality calls it a ‘non-vital holiday park’.
- Blauwe Meer, Lommel (Belgium)
This park must be closed and cleared before July 2024, as the judge in Belgium ruled last summer. - De Berckt, Peel and Maas (Limburg)
The municipality wants Gillis to apply for an operating permit soon, after which a Bibob investigation will follow. The catering industry at this park is already closed.
In addition to Prinsenmeer and Brugse Heide, Brabant has one Oostappen park:
- Cranendonck Castle, Cranendonck
Gillis had to surrender his catering permit here earlier. The municipality does not make any statements about ongoing investigations.
An earlier overview of what is going on at Peter Gillis’s parks: