Residents near the Efteling will not have to pay for their parking permits next year. The municipal council of Loon op Zand revoked the decision to introduce paid permits after significant public uproar.
According to Omroep Brabant, many residents attended the council meeting both physically and digitally, with several given five minutes to speak. Previously, it was announced that Kaatsheuvel residents living near the Efteling would need to pay 50 euros per car and a fee for a visitor pass.
The Loon op Zand council, which governs Kaatsheuvel, initially approved the paid permits, incorporating them into the 2025 budget with support from most factions, as reported by the broadcaster earlier. Misjudgment admitted Residents were informed via letter earlier this month that objections could not be made, leading to outrage.
Shortly thereafter, coalition parties VVD and Pro3, along with opposition party Gemeentebelangen, expressed a desire to reverse the measure, which was finalized yesterday. Tonny Meulensteen, alderman and chairman of the local party Voor Loon, acknowledged the impacts were misjudged, stating, “We all forgot the effect this cost-cutting had on our residents.
That sums it up well,” during the council meeting. By reversing the fee decision, the municipality will forgo 68,000 euros, and the council will address how to cover this shortfall early next year.
Source: NOS