Katwijk’s municipal council has given preliminary approval for the construction of a large pharmaceutical factory operated by American company Eli Lilly. The vote, passed late Wednesday night, allows for public feedback before a final decision this fall. The project is contingent on an agreement reached between the national government, the province of South Holland, and the municipality regarding financial terms. A joint investment of over 100 million euros will improve accessibility to the area, which will also include thousands of new homes, with at least half designated as affordable housing – a key demand from the council. Preparatory work, including demolition and land acquisition, is already underway at the Leiden Bioscience Park site. Eli Lilly selected the location due to its proximity to major transportation hubs and a skilled workforce, intending to produce medications for a range of conditions including diabetes and obesity, and to compete with Novo Nordisk.