The Max Planck Data Center’s first public review phase is complete
Planegg’s municipal council reviews the comments received and prepares for a second public consultation
The Max Planck Society (MPG) plans to build a new data center on the Martinsried Science Campus. The project aims to secure urgently needed computing power across more than 80 Max Planck Institutes, including the two institutes based on the campus itself. As part of the ongoing land-use planning procedure, a public consultation was initiated to ensure that all interests are carefully weighed.
On 15 June 2026, Planegg’s Municipal Building Committee detailed the results of this initial public consultation, together with an evaluation of the comments received.
The first public review phase of the land-use plan
Starting on 12 January 2026, the plans for the new data center were available for inspection and comment for more than a month at Planegg’s town hall and on the municipality’s website. During this period, 64 responses were received, with the majority coming from public authorities and statutory bodies such as the District Administration Office, the Water Management Office, surrounding municipalities, municipal utilities, as well as special-purpose associations.
The suggestions and concerns received were carefully reviewed by the municipal administration, specialist planners and consultancies. The plans and the accompanying expert reports were then adjusted accordingly. The meeting also revisited aspects of the data center’s purpose-built energy concept and addressed remaining questions.
Transparency and continued participation
The Planegg Municipal Building Committee unanimously approved how the comments had been addressed – including the resulting amendments to the plans – clearing the way for the project-specific land-use plan to proceed to the second public consultation phase. This will provide the public another opportunity to review the plans and submit comments. Once this feedback has been considered and a final review is conducted, the building committee will then convene to decide on the legally binding adoption of the plans.
By using a formal land-use planning procedure for the new Max Planck Data Center, the Planegg municipality and the MPG aim to provide the public with detailed insights into the planned construction project, inviting feedback, and explaining transparently how objections are being addressed. Together, this will allow for the creation of a data center that not only supports sustainable, fundamental research but also provides a basis for close cooperation between the municipality and the MPG.
