The 120-year-old Duindigt horse racing track on the edge of Wassenaar and The Hague has been bought by Amsterdam-based property investor Villa Betty, which plans to renovate the venue and build 46 villas on the site.

The investment includes refurbishing the racecourse itself, as well as the grandstands and hospitality areas.

Although some Wassenaar councillors have welcomed the plan, others are concerned that it could threaten the area’s green character. “The racecourse will remain, and the surrounding area will stay green,” Wassenaar housing chief Wim Koetsier (CDA) told Omroep West.

Founded in 1906, Duindigt is the Netherlands’ oldest operating racecourse and is the only one in the country.

But despite branching out into other areas, such as film nights and antique markets, it has been in steady decline, with falling visitor numbers and crumbling infrastructure. Its managing foundation also has debts running into millions of euros.

A forced sale had been scheduled for 23 July, but this has now been called off after Villa Betty, which first tried to buy the location in 2023, revived its original offer and signed a purchase agreement.

The surprise deal reignited debate in the council. D66 warned that the sale could jeopardise the open landscape. Local party Lokaal Wassenaar! was more blunt, calling Duindigt “a glorified gambling palace” that no longer justifies public support.

But rival local party Hart voor Wassenaar argued the sale was the best available option. “Villa Betty will preserve much of the greenery. Another developer might leave the land vacant for ten years, only to come back with a plan for a thousand homes. We’d rather have 46 villas with green space,” the party said.