Province of Limburg and Municipality of Sittard-Geleen want to buy Graetheide and Lexhy

The Province of Limburg and the Municipality of Sittard-Geleen have reached an agreement with DSM-Firmenich to purchase the estates at Graetheide and the Lexhy.

With the proposed purchase, the province and municipality aim to ensure a sustainable future for this area. In total, it concerns approximately 354 hectares of land and farms, located north of the Urmonderbaan in Sittard-Geleen. This is done in accordance with market conditions based on the agricultural land value, with both government parties participating for 50% in the proposed purchase.

The Graetheide is important for agriculture and nature development, such as the realisation of an ecological connection zone. The proposed purchase of the Lexhy is necessary for the construction of a new 380 kV high-voltage station and the installation of underground cables and pipelines. Additionally, this area has been designated as a location for further development of the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, once the current campus site is fully built. The existing forest area at the Lexhy will be preserved as much as possible.

Currently, part of the estates is leased to agricultural companies, which also have farms on these lands. The Province and the municipality will take over the agreements that the tenants have made with the former owner, DSM-Firmenich. Decision-making about the purchase of the estates will be scheduled in June in the meetings of the city council of Sittard-Geleen and in the Provincial government.