The crocodile tears of the Oost Gelre municipal council (Netherlands) are rather amusing. First, it evicts Vitelco Leather from its Lichtenvoorde site after a lengthy legal dispute. Then, upon learning that the leather group has no intention of reinvesting in the area, it reacts with surprise: “Really? But what about the workers?”
Oost Gelre council evicts Vitelco Leather
This saga has dragged on for nearly a decade. On one side is Vitelco Leather, the tanning division of the veal meat group, operating out of Lichtenvoorde. On the other, the local community, which has long complained—primarily about the odours. The courts sided with the neighbours, and now the local council is preparing (with planning approval expected by June, according to local media) to convert the industrial site into a residential development. A bad outcome—an extremely bad one. Because at the same time, Vitelco Leather announced it has no plans to reinvest in the area (or anywhere else, for now): employees will receive severance packages, and Vitelco Leather will shut down permanently by the end of the year. “But our region offers many alternative opportunities”, chirp the local councillors. Too little, too late.
Photo from Maps
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