Pärnu Defense Industrial Park Litigation Drags On Due to Noise Complaints

The Tallinn Administrative Court has postponed its decision on a complaint filed by NGOs and private individuals seeking to halt the construction of a planned defense industry park near Pärnu, Estonia. The complaint, lodged in October last year by the Päraküla Society, Roheline Pärnumaa, Eesti Metsa Abiks, and 27 private individuals, challenges a government order from August 22, 2025, that approved the national special spatial plan for the Pärnu 1 defense industry park near Tõstamaa.

The complainants argue that insufficient consideration was given to the park's impact on the natural environment and local residents. They are also contesting the compensatory measures plan for birdlife and the green network, with the Päraküla Society separately challenging forest notices issued by the Environmental Board.

The court postponed its decision because it needs additional evidence on noise assessment. According to court spokesperson Viivika Siplane, the court's preliminary position is that noise from the defense industry park cannot be classified as national defense noise and is therefore subject to industrial noise standards. Since the strategic environmental assessment did not evaluate whether the maximum noise level from blasting at the park complies with industrial noise limits, the government must submit further evidence. After that, the complainants will have an opportunity to present their positions, and the court will set a new date for its decision.

The defense industry park is expected to house companies manufacturing mines, explosives, and missiles. The postponement is expected to delay the court's decision by several months and cannot be appealed.