Overview
- A citizens' referendum held Sunday approved creating the planning basis for Helsing's campus by 59% to 41% with turnout about 55.9%, clearing the way for municipal planning to proceed.
- Helsing has secured roughly 35 hectares on the Senderwiese and says the initial build will cover about 120,000 square metres, aim to create about 300 jobs and require a triple‑digit million euro investment with a targeted start in 2027.
- Supporters and local officials cited economic relief for Hallbergmoos through new jobs and Gewerbesteuer revenue plus a broader push to expand Germany's domestic defence production following recent Bundeswehr orders to Helsing.
- Opponents, led by the Bürgerinitiative Senderwiese, warned the development will seal open land, threaten nature and species protection, increase traffic and raise concerns that a weapons facility could become a target in wartime.
- The result drew public praise from Bavarian leaders and shifts the dispute from a political fight to formal planning, where environmental reviews, compensatory land measures and a pending council review of a second citizen motion will shape next steps.