WILLEMSTAD - The building permit for a resort on Penstraat has been revoked. The court decided this on Wednesday, meaning that construction must immediately cease. The project was going to exceed the maximum height and cause disturbances to local residents. 

Pen Resort BV is planned to be an all-inclusive resort, featuring a total of 300 rooms, 6 restaurants, a spa, a ballroom, a swimming pool, a pier, and breakwaters. The project was to cover approximately 21 hectares and rise to a height of 20 meters, situated on Penstraat. 

One of the plaintiffs, Chantalle Grouwels, owns the property adjacent to the all-inclusive project and is concerned that, upon its completion, it would be too tall and encroach on her property. The law states that a building cannot exceed a height of 8 meters, and in Pietermaai, where the project is located, the limit is 16 meters. During the hearing, Pen Resort BV couldn't demonstrate why the project wouldn't be feasible at a lower height. 

The Ministry of Transportation, Traffic, and Spatial Planning (VVRP) must determine what interest Pen Resort has in the 20-meter building height. Additionally, the concerns of the nearby residents must be taken into account. VVRP has four months to reevaluate the Pen Resort's application. 

Photo: Minister of Spatial Planning presenting permit to Pen Resort developers