The state government in Saxony wants to exert more influence on securing important commercial areas in the state in future. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, work is underway to draw up the new state development plan. What needs to be controlled at state level is to be controlled by the state, it was said. In the new plan, for example, areas for important commercial and industrial settlements as well as raw material deposits are to be designated.
The planning and development of large commercial areas is a "mammoth task", especially for smaller towns and municipalities, according to the ministry. This can be particularly difficult for larger projects. In addition, major projects such as expansions in the microelectronics industry in the north of Dresden or Siemens in Leipzig require large and contiguous areas. However, these are becoming increasingly scarce and should therefore be secured as early as possible with the new state development plan.
Funding on hold due to budget situation
Since 2023, municipalities have been able to access funding for the planning of commercial areas via the Regioplan funding guideline. However, it is currently on hold. Due to the tight budget situation, no funds are available for this in the current double budget. This is likely to make planning even more difficult for municipalities. According to the ministry, around 5.1 million euros have been paid out to municipalities via the funding so far.
The Saxony Economic Development Corporation (WFS) currently lists 246 available commercial sites in the Free State in its database, including mainly smaller but also larger sites with more than ten hectares - from an area in Löbau on the B178 to the Steinberg industrial estate in the Vogtland district. One of the largest available sites in the state is the "Großenhain Nord" site, which covers almost 150 hectares and is currently still waiting for an investor.
Many industrial estates well utilized
According to WFS, there are already numerous industrial estates in the Free State - especially along the major transport axes and in economic conurbations. These are mostly very well utilized due to the good economic development, according to WFS CEO Thomas Horn. However, in recent years, there have been some failures to develop new areas for future settlements as a precautionary measure - especially for large-scale projects.
In addition, WFS estimates that it can take three to four years before the sites can be marketed, including building rights. Horn is therefore hoping for future planning acceleration procedures: "However, it is good and important that a lot is now in the pipeline."
New areas to be created
New areas are to be created, for example, in the Upper Elbe Industrial Park in the towns of Pirna, Dohna and Heidenau, with an expansion of the Schwarze Pumpe industrial area in Lusatia and with areas along Radefelder Allee at Leipzig Airport.
"Overall, we are currently in a good situation, for example with regard to potential demand from other supplier companies in Taiwan. We have a lot to offer, not only in the greater Dresden area, but also in the direction of Lusatia, Chemnitz or Leipzig," said Horn. Nevertheless, further new commercial sites are needed in the long term. "After all, we want to continue to attract companies to Saxony in the future and thus create new attractive jobs."
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