The Administrative Court of Helsinki has rejected the appeal related to Patterimäki park. On 9 July 2020, the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment granted the City of Helsinki Urban Environment Division a permit to deviate from the protection of the Siberian flying squirrel in the construction area of Jokeri Light Rail in Patterimäki park. Pajamäki-seura ry and Pro Nature ry appealed against the decision to the Administrative Court of Helsinki. On 10 December 2020, the Administrative Court issued its decision, according to which the conditions for granting a deviation permit have been met, and there is no reason to change the decision of the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
The Alliance plans to start building the tram line on the Patterimäki park section in early 2021. Efforts are being made to make up for the delay caused by the appeals process. The rock tunnel has been fully excavated via the Arinatie sand silo, with the exception of the tunnel openings, in an attempt to minimize the impact on the deployment schedule.
Construction work in the park was originally scheduled to begin in May 2019. Despite the construction of Jokeri Light Rail, the majority of both the park area and the breeding and resting areas of the Siberian flying squirrel will be preserved. The Jokeri Light Rail line will be built in the northern part of the park area, on the edge of the industrial area.
The decision of the Administrative Court may be appealed against to the Supreme Administrative Court if the Supreme Administrative Court grants leave to appeal.
Previous stages:
- On 9 July 2020, the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment granted a permit to deviate from the provisions concerning the protection of the Siberian flying squirrel laid down in the Nature Conservation Act in Patterimäki park.
- On 10 August 2020, Pajamäki-seura ry and Pro Nature ry appealed against the deviation permit to the Administrative Court of Helsinki.
- On 10 December 2020, the Administrative Court of Helsinki issued a decision, according to which there is no reason to change the decision of the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.