Dutch grower transforms nursery to guesthouses

"In 1964 my father started on this location with the cultivation of vegetables in open field. He later switched to glass and eventually I took over the greenhouse and expanded it to 1.2 hectares," Robert Heesakkers says. A greenhouse was not a regular sight in Brabant’s Heeze-Leende. "In this neighborhood we are the only growers. Or rather, we were."

The cucumber nursery of Robert and Monique Heesakkers does not exist anymore. Five years ago, they received a request from The Water Board de Dommel. Whether the greenhouse could be demolished and how much it would cost. The greenhouse was in an area where a water storage area was planned.

At first, Robert and Monique did not want to sell at all. "Horticulture is working hard, but we earned a decent living. Also during less favorable times we had things under control. If it had been up to me, we still would have had cucumbers." But soon it became clear that there was actually no other option. Then the discussion about financial compensation started. "We did not really come to an agreement," says Robert. "As a kind of change, we were granted permission to realize a recreational destination here. Initially the government preferred us to leave completely and possibly start a nursery somewhere else, but that was not an option for me. Five years ago, the situation in greenhouse horticulture was not very good. And the location here is very beautiful: we are close to Natura 2000, 2000 hectares of heath. Where greenhouse horticulture actually would impose restrictions, tourism could provide opportunities."

In 2014 an agreement was reached and the last cucumbers left the greenhouse. On July 1, 2015 the greenhouse was demolished. Over the last two years, Robert and Monique have been working on the realization of ten recreational homes. Together they converted the technical space of the greenhouse into the atrium of the holiday complex. Instead of a substrate area and storage, a lounge has been realized, where guests can relax and also listen to the story behind the company. "They find it interesting to hear. Also about horticulture and how it's done."

The Rulse Hoeve is open now and the first guests have left satisfied. Is it easier or more difficult than growing? "Different," Robert says. "We used to have a shop at home, so I'm used to dealing with people." One thing is for certain: he still misses the greenhouse. "The growing itself, but also all the related aspects." For next year we are planning to make a sizable vegetable garden. "The water storage here should already have been completed, but it has been delayed due to a number of legal cases. When it's completed, that vegetable garden will surely be there."