Residents in a small Danish village are pushing back against plans to build a massive data center and adjoining greenhouses nearby. The project has caused concern among locals who fear losing their quiet countryside and feel ignored by local politicians.
Plans Moving Ahead Despite Local Resistance
In the town of Krageris near Ølgod in western Denmark, a company wants to build a large data center and several greenhouses on about 174 hectares of farmland. The proposal has sparked frustration among many residents who say they were not properly included in the planning process.
The issue has become a key topic of debate for voters and officials in Varde Municipality, which will decide the fate of the project after the upcoming local elections.
From Quiet Fields to Industrial Scale Development
Currently, the area is surrounded by open fields and farmland. If approved, the project would transform this rural setting into a busy industrial zone. Locals worry about losing their peaceful surroundings and fear more noise, pollution, and heavy traffic. They are also concerned that their homes could lose value once construction begins.
Many residents say they moved to Krageris to enjoy nature and tranquility. Now they fear those qualities will disappear if the new facility is built only a few hundred meters from their homes. Some have even said they would consider moving away entirely.
Promise of Jobs Divides Opinion
Politicians supporting the plan argue that the project could bring hundreds of new jobs to the area and strengthen the local economy. However, not everyone is convinced. Some citizens believe the municipality should focus on existing residents and businesses rather than large industrial investors.
Local leaders, including members of the planning and technical committee, insist that they have worked hard to involve the community. They point to several public meetings and dialogue sessions meant to keep locals informed. Yet, despite these efforts, many still feel that transparency and communication have been lacking.
Calls for Better Dialogue in Future Projects
A few politicians now admit that lessons must be learned from this process. Some suggest that future projects should only move forward if local residents are more positive about the plans. They emphasize that the municipality must balance economic growth with social and environmental responsibility.
The company behind the proposal, atNorth, has said that all plans have been publicly available and that representatives have participated in public hearings. The firm claims to remain open to continued dialogue and invites neighbors to share their questions and opinions as the project develops.
At this point, the next city council will decide whether the data center can move forward. If approved, construction could begin as early as 2026.
Datacenters as Part of Critical Infrastructure
According to Varde Municipality, data centers are considered part of Denmark’s critical infrastructure. They provide the computing capacity essential for digital services and technological development. For that reason, many Danish municipalities see them as strategic investments that can generate long-term growth.
Still, building such large facilities in rural areas often leads to tension between investors and residents. This latest dispute in Varde reflects a broader national challenge: how to attract high-tech industries without sacrificing local identity and environmental values.
For more updates about regional projects and decisions, readers can follow the ongoing live coverage of local elections or take part in DR’s candidate test to see where each party stands on such issues.
Sources and References
https://dr.dk/nyheder/politik/kommunalvalg/planerne-om-et-datacenter-buldrer-af-sted-det-er-en-foelelse-af-afmagt
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/kommunalvalg
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/live-seneste-nyt-fra-kommunalvalget
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/kommunalvalg/kandidattest
