Green light for new Van der Valk hotel along A2 in Weert

The Council of State has decided that the construction of a Van der Valk hotel along the A2 motorway in Weert can go ahead. This is despite objections from the neighbouring municipality of Nederweert and several local businesses.

The new hotel will consist of about 135 rooms, five of which are earmarked as long-stay rooms. There will also be a restaurant with around 250 seats, 10 meeting rooms and a casino.

Nederweert college, Entergaming B.V., Rosvelt B.V. and Fletcher B.V. have expressed concerns about the possible negative impact on their business operations. According to them, there is no need for an additional hotel and casino in the region. The dispute over hotel construction between the municipalities of Weert and Nederweert is not new. Both boards of B and W had signed an agreement in 2006 on the division of the four corners near the A2, Randweg Zuid and Ringbaan Noord. In this, it was agreed that two corners on the Nederweert side would be earmarked for business and leisure.

The State Council has ruled that, although the zoning plan amendment and the environmental permit granted for the Van der Valk hotel must be annulled, the effects of these permits remain in force. This is because in the run-up to the hearing before the Council of State, the municipality of Weert was still able to substantiate the need for additional hotel rooms and a casino. Regarding the aforementioned 2006 agreement, the Council of State stated that it was only agreed between the two colleges of B and W. A municipal council deciding on a zoning plan amendment is not bound by this agreement.

It is not yet known when construction of the Van der Valk hotel will start.