One of the last large undeveloped pieces of land in the center of Meppel has been sold. The future of the location, known as the Zwikkerterrein, has been discussed for a long time.
According to the land register, the land was sold to a company from Utrecht that works in the financial sector. The plot is 12,300 square meters in total. The concrete plant is not part of that, it does not change owners.
One of the previous owners of the land, Henk Zwikker, had been talking to the municipality about the use of the site for five years. “I have made the craziest proposals. From housing to a hotel on the water, but the municipality does not see it in that place.”
According to Zwikker, the location had a lot of potential for housing because of its location on the water and on the edge of the center. It is adjacent to other residences.
Yet it is also a difficult location for construction. The site is located next to a business park where the necessary noise is produced and is next to the windmill De Weert, which also entails rules. According to the municipality, if housing construction were allowed, this would have major consequences for businesses in the area. The municipality therefore did not agree with the plans proposed by Zwikker and the result was that the land lay fallow for a long time.
Last year, the municipality of Meppel decided to give the place a new destination out of fear for the arrival of heavy industry. Large polluting companies are no longer allowed so close to the center. There is only room for light industry and recreation. Council members would like an attractive water entrance on the site, but the municipality did not buy the land itself.
“Actually, it’s a pity,” explains Zwikker, who has now relinquished the spot. “Because you really have the opportunity to make something beautiful there, you have a large piece of land on the water that you can do something with.”
It is still unclear what the new owner wants to do with the place.