The Province of North Brabant grants an environmental permit for Natura 2000 activity for the development of Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) North in Eindhoven.
With this decision, chip machine manufacturer ASML can start expanding at this location. Because the project may cause additional nitrogen emissions, an extensive assessment has been carried out. The initiator submitted an application based on the so-called ADC test. The ADC test is an existing instrument that can be applied in certain cases to carefully assess plans.
Why the permit was granted
The ADC test is the final step that can be taken if a suitable assessment shows that it cannot be completely ruled out that a project has significant negative effects on Natura 2000 areas. It is a strict and careful assessment under the Environmental Act. There are 3 conditions a project must meet: there are no alternatives (A), there must be an overriding public interest (D), and nature must be fully compensated (C).
Deputy Saskia Boelema (permit issuance, supervision and enforcement) indicates that the ADC test used is the strictest possible assessment. “This concerns a carefully made decision within a strict legal framework. We have established that there are no alternatives. There are also overriding reasons of great public interest. Finally, the nature compensation is sufficiently elaborated.” The college is positive that this project of social and economic importance can proceed.
Nature restoration and next steps
The province finds that the compensation is sufficiently elaborated and that all three parts of the ADC test have been demonstrated. Therefore, the permit may be granted. The nature that may suffer damage must be restored. ASML takes measures for this in, among others, the Kempenland-West nature reserve, such as planting trees and improving biodiversity (The variety of life in a certain area).
The new campus is located near Eindhoven Airport. The municipality of Eindhoven has already taken the necessary local decisions. ASML wants to start construction after the summer, so that the first employees can use the site in 2028.