Puhuri Oy – Assistance in an appeal procedure concerning the general planning of Piipsanneva wind farm
Lieke assisted Puhuri Oy in an appeal procedure concerning the general planning of Piipsanneva wind farm.
We assisted Puhuri Oy in an appeal procedure concerning the general planning of Piipsanneva wind farm project. The Piipsanneva wind farm is planned to be located in the eastern part of the town of Haapavesi and will consist of 39 tall wind turbines.
The town council of Haapavesi approved the general plann for the wind farm in 2021. The decision was annulled by the Administrative Court of Northern Finland on the basis of appeals on the grounds, inter alia, of the extent of the bird surveys and the potential impact of the general plan on the area’s birdlife.
The town appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court with the assistance of the project developer and the. The area in question is a former peat production area, which has been allocated for wind energy activities in the regional plan. In particular, the case raised the question of how to assess the value of the bird population in an area, where constantly changing water systems have been created by human activity and which have become significant in terms of bird territories and nature values.
The Supreme Administrative Court found that a proper impact assessment had been carried out and annulled the Administrative Court’s decision in its entirety. The general plan was approved as intended. The decision can also be considered as a positive outcome for other former peat productions areas and their further development in general.
Lieke has also acted as a legal advisor to Puhuri Oy on the development of the Piipsanneva wind farm project, in particular on land lease and environmental licensing issues. Lieke has also assisted Puhuri Oy in the development, ownership arrangements and land use issues of Puhuri Oy’s other wind farms, among others.
Read more about the project and Lieke’s previous experience with Puhuri Oy’s wind farms:
Puhuri Oy – Ownership arrangements in Tuulikaarron Voima Oy
Puhuri Oy – Wind power projects Piipsa and Tuulikaarto
For more information please contact
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Aimo HalonenPartner, Attorney-at-Law
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Hanna TuominenSenior Associate, Attorney-at-Law
