Katwijk demands state funding for roads before approving pharmaceutical megafactory

Katwijk's municipal council has made government funding for local infrastructure a condition for approving Eli Lilly's planned large-scale drug manufacturing plant. Councillors want binding commitments from The Hague to finance improvements to the N206 and an important access route to the town, works that are expected to require investments worth millions of euros.

"We've been talking about this for years; now is the opportunity to achieve results," said the VVD faction leader in Katwijk. "Without firm, binding agreements on the financing and this project, we will not approve a permit," representatives of the PvdA and CDA emphasized. "If the Netherlands as a whole wants to benefit, then the Netherlands as a whole must also invest," a councillor from KiesKatwijk said.

The SGP is demanding that the Cabinet meet Katwijk's conditions. "If this serves the national interest, then the national government must also take responsibility, not only administratively, but financially as well."

Plans for Eli Lilly's proposed pharmaceutical plant in Katwijk became public late last year. The American drugmaker intends to invest 3 billion dollars, equivalent to more than 2.5 billion euros- in a large manufacturing site near the Valkenburg Lake area.

The project followed months of confidential talks between the company, several Dutch ministries, and the province of Zuid-Holland. After submitting a permit application in April, Eli Lilly is now awaiting a preliminary ruling from the municipal council on June 18. Stakeholders will then be invited to submit their views before councillors make a final decision later this year.

During a council debate on Thursday, local politicians weighed the benefits and drawbacks of Eli Lilly's proposed factory. While most parties welcomed the prospect of new jobs and economic investment, they also raised concerns about the impact on residents and infrastructure.

Councillors warned that the combination of a 500-employee manufacturing site and major nearby housing developments could significantly increase traffic and place additional strain on the area. There are also worries that the nearly 40-metre-tall industrial complex could detract from the recreational character of Valkenburg Lake and its surroundings.

Katwijk alderman Gerard Mostert of the ChristenUnie is negotiating with the national government over the municipality's demands. "Everyone can see that the traffic problem is only getting worse. But the municipality cannot afford such a major infrastructure investment on its own," Mostert said. "I hear very clearly what the council wants, and I hope to provide more clarity soon." The alderman stressed that the arrival of Eli Lilly would in any case have a "significant impact" on the area.