Finds of ancient relics in the ground under Business Park Falster may ultimately lead Guldborgsund Municipality to withdraw from the sale of the land for the planned data centre.
This is evident from the standard contract that was part of the municipality's tender material for the sale of the commercial area in Business Park Falster. The agreement sets out the conditions that interested buyers had to accept in order to submit a bid.
The document itself is not the final agreement between Guldborgsund Municipality and the German investor, but the contract that describes the terms applicable to all potential buyers. It establishes, among other things, a six-month due diligence period, the possibility to cancel the deal if archaeological excavations become too expensive, and a building obligation within two years. It is the legal framework that formed the basis for the offer that subsequently led to the sale to GARBE Data Centers.
Must conduct screening
Already in 2013, finds were made during an archaeological preliminary investigation, and parts of the area have since been excavated. On the remaining areas, Museum Lolland-Falster must now conduct a new screening and provide a maximum price for any excavations, which the municipality pays. If the bill turns out to be too high, Guldborgsund Municipality can let the agreement lapse.
If new ancient relics later appear during earth or construction work, the museum law applies, but expenses, delays, and operational losses are not compensated by the municipality.
The agreement is subject to several conditions and gives the buyer a period to investigate environmental, technical, and legal matters before a deal can be finalised.
Investment of 20 billion kroner
The area appears relatively ready for construction. The tender material indicates that no soil contamination has been registered on the site, and the geotechnical surveys describe solid soil layers and good foundation conditions. This means that there are generally no major technical or environmental obstacles in the ground. However, the local plan points out that the area is located in a zone with special drinking water interests, so groundwater protection must be considered in the further development.
The German data centre developer GARBE plans a facility of about 35 hectares in Business Park Falster. The project is estimated to be an investment of about 20 billion kroner and is expected to create hundreds of jobs during and after construction.
