Finland's Supreme Administrative Court has rejected motions to block the implementation of plans to build a new harbour in Vuosaari in the east of Helsinki.

   

On Wednesday the court handed down a ruling that will allow officials to make plans for the financing and construction of the new facility.

   

According to the appeal, the harbour would threaten areas protected under the Natura nature conservation programme of the European Union.

Wednesday's decision contains

about 115 pages of material on construction, nature conservation, as well as European Union directives.

   

The main issue in the court's view is whether or not the harbour project significantly weakens the values of nature which caused the area to be made a part of the Natura 2000 network.

   

Construction of the harbour could begin already in 2003, and the facility could be taken into use in 2008 at the earliest.

Finland's Minister of Transport

and Communications, Kimmo Sasi (Nat. Coalition), welcomed the decision, saying that a delay could have caused difficulties for the Government's upcoming budget talks.

   

The Government is expected to earmark about EUR 100 million for the digging of channels for the harbour.

Helsinki Mayor

Eeva-Riitta Siitonen (Nat. Coalition) was pleased that the harbour construction project can get under way. She sees the venture as a boost for local business. She also feels that the project can advance sustainable development. "It is beneficial that it will bring goods to this area, and that the goods would not have to be carried on wheels from other harbours."

   

The Chairman of the Helsinki City Council, Pekka Sauri (Green), welcomed the fact that the construction of harbour facilities in Vuosaari will mean that space in present harbours in the centre of Helsinki can now be used for the construction of housing.

   

"It is good that the present harbours will be freed up for housing construction. The City Council has a consensus on this. There has been disagreement on where the harbours would be moved to", Pekka Sauri said.