The 33.7-hectare greenfield site in Bissen, near Mersch, was shortlisted as a potential new site for the American tech giant's European data centre in around July 2017.

The commune is expected to take a vote on reclassifying the land in November 2018, according to radio station 100,7.

Google is reportedly waiting for all approvals to be in place before making a final decision in which country to install its centre.

Among the considerations being taken into account on the Luxembourg side, environment officials looked at increased traffic resulting from the creation of a data centre, water consumption and emissions.

The Bissen council is expected to hold an information meeting with residents. Residents will then have one month to appeal the decision taken by the council members.

Google purchased the land in 2017. According to an article published in The Luxemburger Wort on 14 December 2017, it also acquired 131 hectares in Aabenraa, Denmark, 109 hectares in Avesta in Sweden, 73 hectares in Fredericia, Denmark, and 74 hectares in Kronstorf, Austria.

Luxembourg is keen to promote itself as a digital hub under its “Digital Lëtzebuerg” initiative and securing the Google data centre would give the country’s standing a substantial push in that respect.