Helsinki gets go-ahead to annex southwest Sipoo

Supreme Administrative Court rejects appeals

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The Supreme Administrative Court has rejected appeals made against an initiative to allow Helsinki to get a large chunk of territory from the southwest of the municipality of Sipoo, which lies east of Helsinki. The deal will include the southeast tip of Vantaa.
     In its ruling, the court rejected appeals made against last year's decision made by the Finnish government to authorise the move.
     A total of 25 appeals were made against the annexation plan, including one by the municipality of Sipoo itself. Some of the appeals were withdrawn before a final decision came.
     
Because the plan was opposed by Sipoo, the change in the municipal borders was only possible for especially weighty reasons. The Supreme Administrative Court said in its ruling that the area differs from other municipal areas in Finland.
     In the view of the court, an important factor weighing in favour of the linkage was the location of the area to be annexed, and its significance for the "controlled and balanced development" of Helsinki's community structure. The court also recognised the importance of the area for housing construction and transport connections.
     The change in the border is to be implemented at the beginning of next year.
     
Sipoo Municipal Mayor Markku Luoma noted that the decision came as a disappointment to him. He also saw the ruling as a precedent in Finland.
      Bambi Nyberg, chair of the association opposed to the annexation, noted that the group is ready to appeal the decision to the European Court of Justice.
     
Although the changes in the municipal borders will not take place until the beginning of 2009, the 2,000 residents of the area that is to be affected are being allowed to vote as Helsinki residents in this year's municipal elections.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Centre party fears Sipoo border shift proposal sets bad example (13.6.2007)
  PM Vanhanen disqualifies himself from decision making on Sipoo border change (12.6.2007)
  Helsinki administration demand rules in negotiations with Sipoo (19.9.2006)
  Helsinki uses threats to pressure Sipoo to change boundaries (15.9.2006)
  Helsinki wants to expand to western parts of Sipoo (20.6.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat