Vantaa forced purchase of large inherited estate at low price, but neighbours may profit from their own land

The city of Vantaa compulsorily purchased the Saras estate in 2015 for €3.25 million—far below its market value—but has not repeated such large-scale land acquisitions since, even as neighbouring landowners stand to gain from rising property values, reports Yle.

The Saras family estate, covering 43 hectares in Vantaa’s Kivistö district, was acquired for future housing development after owners refused voluntary sale offers. While the city deemed the €3.25 million compensation fair under then-current rules, the family had previously negotiated an €11.2 million deal with a construction firm, contingent on zoning approvals that never materialised.

Vantaa has not pursued similar compulsory purchases of raw land since the Saras case, despite stalled negotiations with over 20 other property owners involving around 135 hectares. Deputy Mayor Tero Anttila stated that the city’s land policy has shifted, favouring zoning agreements with private owners rather than acquisitions. “Compulsory purchase isn’t practical for small plots,” Anttila noted, adding that the Saras case was exceptional due to its size.

Neighbouring landowners may now benefit from the area’s upcoming zoning plan, which could accommodate 2,000–4,000 residents in detached housing. While Saras’ former owners received just €7.50 per square metre in compensation—compared to €165/sqm in a similar Espoo case after zoning—Anttila defended the decision as “fair under the circumstances at the time.”

The Central Union of Agricultural Producers (MTK), which challenged the purchase at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), sees potential for further legal action. Though the ECHR dismissed the case in March, MTK’s Leena Kristeri highlighted the court’s acknowledgment that prolonged land storage post-acquisition could violate property rights. “If the Saras land remains unused for an extended period, this could open doors for renewed claims,” Kristeri said.