Meta, the parent company of Facebook, decided last month to cancel the construction of the mega data center in Zeewolde. Shortly before that, the cabinet turned against the local plans, after the new city council of Zeewolde no longer saw the data center. Criticism of the arrival of the energy-guzzling complex has been increasing for some time.
It now appears that the site in Zeewolde is in focus for a large new defense complex to be built. The municipality of Zeewolde announced this on Monday. “The new college of mayor and aldermen wants to be open and clear about this development,” says a statement from the municipality. “In the autumn, more will be known about the plans the ministry has.”
To move house
Last May, State Secretary Christophe van der Maat (Defence) unveiled the plan to build a large barracks at a ‘central location in the Netherlands’ for all supporting units of the army. A large number of smaller barracks elsewhere in the country are closing their doors as a result. “This means our people don’t have to move as often,” he said at the time.
It now looks as if many defense employees will be able to work in Zeewolde in a few years’ time. Although nothing is certain yet: “Zeewolde is one of the parties we are talking to,” says a defense spokesperson. “The choice has yet to be made.”
According to the spokesperson, it is ‘not usual’ that Zeewolde itself has announced that there is talk about the arrival of the defense complex. After the debacle with Meta, the new council of Zeewolde wants to be more transparent. “We understand that in itself, but it is true that the talks are still in an exploratory phase.”