The conflict between Pirkkala Parish and the residents of cottages on the islands of Isosaari and Lehtisaari has reached a critical point after years of tension. The parish has been leasing land since the 1950s to several cottage owners at low rates, but the contracts stipulated that all structures must be removed by the end of the leasing period. In 2017, the parish terminated the contracts, aiming to integrate the islands into a nature conservation area, thereby prohibiting cottage use by 2028. The affected areas will remain available for recreational and hiking activities but no overnight stays will be allowed.

According to Pekka Elomaa, the financial manager of the Pirkkala parish, the lease agreements were clear, indicating that owners were responsible for removing their buildings and restoring the area to a natural state. Despite these stipulations, many of the cottages remain standing nearly ten years later, creating further complications. As the situation develops, the threat of demolition looms, raising concerns amongst residents who may face steep costs associated with the removal of their homes.

The resolution of this dispute carries significant implications for community relations and the future use of the islands. Should the cottages be demolished, it would reshape the local community landscape and highlight the challenges that arise when historical land use agreements conflict with modern conservation efforts. The outcomes of the situation will likely also influence environmental policies around the region concerning the balance between development and conservation efforts in Finland.