Finland’s licensing authority has ordered Google to stop building work at two datacentre sites. The company cleared forest without finishing required environmental checks. The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) issued the notice on Tuesday. All preparatory work that alters the landscape must cease by 23 October at the latest.

Tuike Finland Oy, which represents Google on the project, already removed trees and stripped topsoil. The clearing covered 330 hectares (815 acres) in Muhos. Logging in Kajaani reached just under 200 hectares (494 acres). These sites form part of a wider €13bn (£11bn) infrastructure push in northern Finland.

Regulators say the environmental impact assessment is still underway. Completion is expected later this year. LVV warned that Google must submit a written explanation by next Wednesday. Failure to comply could trigger enforcement proceedings and fines.

“In our opinion, the measures in question will change the environment and cause impacts, the identification and assessment of which are among the key objectives of the EIA procedure.” Tommi Muilu, head of the environmental department at LVV, said in a statement.

Google acknowledged the regulatory oversight. The company promised to follow the authority’s guidance moving forward. Restoration plans include planting trees across 130 hectares (321 acres) at the Muhos site.

Tapani Veistola, chief operating officer at the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, described the cleared land as “not a forest any more. It is a sand area.” He attributed the destruction to an overheated market and limited municipal expertise.