The notorious recreation park Fort Oranje in Rijsbergen, Brabant, was rightfully closed by the municipality in 2017. They were also allowed to take over its management. This has been ruled by the Council of State in higher appeal.
The case was brought by the former camping owners and a number of residents. In 2021, a court had already ruled in favor of the municipality of Zundert, under which Rijsbergen falls. However, some residents who were staying at the campsite at the time will receive compensation.
This has to do with the fact that the case has taken so long. Last year, the municipality of Zundert announced that it would sell the campsite after unsuccessfully trying to recover the maintenance costs from the owners. This concerned an amount of more than 5 million euros.
The municipality had taken over the management of the campsite to do something about the degrading situations that, according to them, were taking place there. Last year, Zundert was the highest bidder at the auction of the campsite and paid 6.45 million euros for the site and everything on it.
A spokesperson for the municipality tells NU.nl that people still live on the site. “There are still six plot owners living there. This ruling has no direct consequences for them. We were and remain in good consultation with them.”
Camping was notorious for crime
Thanks to the ruling of the Council of State, the municipality can work on the future of the site. The spokesperson cannot yet say what that will be. “We are now going to work on that.” The site has a recreational purpose.
Fort Oranje was notorious because crime prevailed there. Since 2010, various penalty payments have been imposed due to fire-hazardous caravans and hemp nurseries. Hundreds of incidents were also registered, especially with regard to theft, violence, drugs and prostitution.