A court in Hämeenlinna annulled the wind power plan adopted by Parkano due to procedural errors, particularly the improper presence of a wind company representative at a city council meeting.
In Pirkanmaa, Finland, local decision-makers in Parkano must revisit their previously approved Takakangas-Pihlajaharju wind power plan following a ruling from the Hämeenlinna Administrative Court. The court found that procedural errors occurred during a city council meeting that led to the spring 2024 approvals being invalidated. Specifically, it ruled that a representative from the wind power company Parkanon Tuuli oy should not have participated in the meeting where the decision was made.
The planned wind farm, located approximately 13 kilometers from Parkano's center, is set to include 12 wind turbines. The judicial review highlighted multiple procedural errors stemming from the city council meeting in December 2023. The court emphasized that the inclusion of the wind company representative was unauthorized, as no formal decision had been made regarding their rights to participate or speak at the meeting. Additionally, the representative's input during the meeting when they added information to the planning description was deemed improper.
This ruling has significant implications for local governance in Parkano, as it raises questions about the adherence to procedural norms in decision-making related to the development of renewable energy projects. City officials must now reassess both the wind power plan and their meeting protocols, ensuring compliance with legal standards to prevent further annulments in the future. The case reflects a growing scrutiny over the engagement of external stakeholders in municipal decision-making processes, particularly concerning environmental and energy projects.
