Katwijk approves permits for $3 billion Eli Lilly pharmaceutical plant
The American company Eli Lilly has received the green light to build a $3 billion pharmaceutical plant in Katwijk. The municipal council has approved its permit application. Eli Lilly, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, plans to manufacture diabetes and weight-loss medicines in Katwijk, bringing around 500 jobs to the site near Valkenburgse Meer.
Residents of the coastal Zuid-Holland municipality had requested a referendum to seek public opinion on the arrival of the pharmaceutical plant. The municipal council rejected this proposal on Thursday evening. The municipality had to make a decision on the permit this week, leaving no time for such a referendum.
A large majority of local politicians approved the permit application, with 28 voting for and 4 voting against. Eli Lilly can now proceed with construction.
Before starting operations, the American company still requires additional permits for actual production and wastewater discharge. Due to a lack of capacity on the congested electricity grid, the plant will initially use gas turbines to generate electricity.
The American company announced its plans to build a major production facility in Katwijk 11 months ago. Speaking at an event at the Amara cultural center in The Hague, Lilly CEO David Ricks cited factors like the proximity to various airports and the Leiden Bio Science Park as key reasons for the choice. Several government ministers and provincial officials, who had been involved in the preparations behind the scenes, also attended the event. They stressed the economic boost the project would bring to the Netherlands.
Eli Lilly filed its permit application for the plant’s construction in early April. The complex, which will reach a maximum height of 40 meters and cover approximately 20 hectares, is slated for a site formerly occupied by horticultural greenhouses.
In June, the municipal council issued a preliminary positive recommendation for the application, following pledges from the central government and the province to invest €72 million in improving accessibility to the area. Over the summer, the council commissioned an independent review of all the studies conducted by the company. This review yielded no new insights.
Political parties grappled with public sentiment. Many Katwijk residents are concerned about the arrival of such a large-scale pharmaceutical plant in their area. They point to issues such as high water and energy consumption and safety concerns, as well as the impact on the view and recreational activities at the Valkenburgse Meer. Nevertheless, a large majority of the council believes the (economic) benefits outweigh these drawbacks.