WOUDENBERG – All those involved should talk to each other more, say many politicians in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. “I see that a lot of parties say a lot of things, but I wonder whether they are actually talking to each other,” says Judith van Roy of the VVD Utrechtse Heuvelrug. “As far as I’m concerned, someone has to take the lead to get all parties to the table. There is now a lot of noise, nobody knows what’s going on and then a lot of rumors arise. We have to start the conversation.”
The entrepreneur can also earn something
Most parties in the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug are critical of the plans for the Henschotermeer, but at the same time want to give the entrepreneur space. Judith van Roy of the VVD Utrechtse Heuvelrug. “The entrepreneur can of course also earn some money. We can only test the plans when they are actually submitted. So if the application is submitted for a zoning plan, we will check whether it corresponds with the agreements that have been made in 2015. And If that doesn’t match, then we won’t agree.”
Judith van Roy, VVD Utrechtse Heuvelrug: “The entrepreneur can also earn some money from the Henschotermeer.”
Until 2017, the Henschotermeer was managed by the Utrechtse Heuvelrug recreation board and thus financed with government money. After that, the recreation board was abolished and management was transferred to the Van de Lagemaat family, who also manage the adjacent holiday park De Heigraaf. Last year, the family came up with ideas how they would like to further exploit recreation around the Henschotermeer, including a petting zoo, an activity hall, a climbing forest and catering. Apartments are also included in the plans where tourists would be allowed to spend the night.
Utrechtse Heuvelrug has little say
Karin Oyevaar of D66 has already jumped in the breach for the Henschotermeer. But it is also difficult for the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug, because there is not much they can do. “By abolishing the Recreation Board, the municipality also gave up a large part of its authority. With the knowledge of today, you can wonder whether that was wise and it is certainly a lesson for the future. It is unclear about which parts the city council of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug can still participate in the decision.
Marina Roelofsen of the CDA agrees. “That’s why we need cooperation. As the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug, we cannot solve this. Our share in Henschotermeer is too small. It is only a small part of our territory, so we don’t have much to say about it.”
In the meantime, Maarn in particular suffers from the crowds around the lake and the holiday parks that are around it. Marina Roelofsen, CDA: “Now the balance is a bit off, there is a lot of unrest. People are annoyed by the crowds, the cars that are parked everywhere, there has to be a balance with nature. Especially the houses on the lake, which they prefer not to. Fortunately, there are now more and more voices from Woudenberg that they do not want to do that either.”
Marina Roelofsen, CDA Utrechtse Heuvelrug: “Marn in particular suffers from the crowds around the Henschotermeer.”
Making money versus preserving nature
Tom Zoutewelle of the Christian Union. “The municipality and province could no longer afford the maintenance. So the recreation board was abolished in 2017. Then other rules were devised that an operator should comply with. And those rules still apply. The entrepreneur must also be able to afford it, so we also have to give him some space, but the relationship between tourism and nature must not be affected.” Judith van Roy of the VVD: “If you invest, you naturally also want to earn it back, but whether the balance is right there, that is the question. Nature is what attracts people here, so we think it should be preserved.” of it very important.”
The municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug could have tackled some things differently, says Tom Zoutewelle of the ChristenUnie: “We should have made it clear earlier in the municipality that decision-making takes place here. At an earlier stage. Now it is hanging over the air as if things have already been decided and that is not the case.”
Tom Zoutewelle, ChristenUnie Utrechtse Heuvelrug: “We politicians explain too little to the people.”
Entrepreneurship plus subsidy?
After the recreation board ceased to exist, the entrepreneur must bear all costs. Isn’t there an intermediate form conceivable in which the province of Utrecht contributes to the Henschotermeer? Zoutewelle of the ChristenUnie: “We have now entered into a contract with an entrepreneur and he must also be given a fair chance. If he needs help, I can imagine that something will happen. But the point of departure in 2015 was that the government is no longer going to put any money in. The painful moment when we said we were going to abolish recreation. Can that be reversed? Well, that is a political decision. Then the province should think about it together with the municipalities. But that is difficult, you can see that now.”
For the voter in particular, communication could be a bit more transparent, says Zoutewelle. “The voter wants a clear situation, but now several parties are involved, two municipalities and the province. I think that as politicians we have the responsibility to explain things. And we do that too little.”
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