Protest against advertising tower in Pesse, Hoogeveen council still divided

During the council meeting it became clear that a number of parties do not want to allow advertising on the mast. These include GemeenteBelangen, VVD, SP and the ChristenUnie. For the time being, the VVD is aiming for a watchtower that is lower and does not contain advertising billboards with LED lighting. According to the party, the Green Planet gas station falls under the outside area and no illuminated advertising is possible there.

The faction bases this on the Spatial Quality memorandum that the municipal council previously adopted. It states that LED advertising is not permitted in rural areas, but only in locations such as business parks or office locations.

The SP also does not like the plans for the illuminated advertising. “It is light disturbance for humans and animals,” said council member Jeroen Pomper. “If we weigh the advantages and disadvantages, we see many more disadvantages. People on the highway are distracted too quickly. We don’t think that is a good thing.” The Christian Union joined in.

The other parties have not yet taken a position. They find it difficult to pass judgment on the expansion plans now. Especially because they appreciate Edward Doorten’s ideas in the field of sustainability. On the other hand, there is a lot of opposition from the village and, according to the groups, this should also be listened to.

Brand van Rijn of the SGP proposed to bring the two parties together again in order to reach a compromise. “If we, as a council, take a decision about the advertising tower, it will cause discord in the village. The entrepreneur and the opponents have to work out together. Soon there will only be losers, you still have to be able to look at each other when you walk through the village. “

GemeenteBelangen disagrees. “This process has been running for more than five years and several attempts have been made to come together. I do not have the illusion that they will come out together,” says council member Ina Prins-Vosmeijer. The Labor Party thinks the same. “As a city council, we have to take the lead and make a decision. That is fair to Green Planet and the opponents. It must come to an end,” said Lisa Schonewille.

Entrepreneur Edward Doorten previously stated that the arrival of the advertising mast is a necessity. In the coming years, he wants to invest more than 40 million euros in a hydrogen project and sustainable fuels. To make that profitable, he needs many more visitors who come to his gas station. He wants to achieve that with the arrival of the mast.

“Nobody knows that we are behind the bushes along the A28 here,” says the entrepreneur. “That’s why we need the tower to demonstrate what can be done here in terms of sustainability.” But whether the mast will actually come up remains to be seen. The council will make a decision on the extension on March 10.