A judicial ruling has invalidated one of the core components of the Motor Circuit project in the municipality of Granadilla de Abona in the south of Tenerife.
The Courts in Santa Cruz have upheld a legal challenge brought by the environmental group ATAN, annulling the approval of the plan for temporary grandstands.
The ruling, dated December 20th, 2024, overturns a decision made on January 27th, 2023, by the Island Councillor for Roads, Mobility, Innovation, and Culture at the Tenerife Cabildo. The contested decision approved the “Project for Earthworks and Installations for Temporary Grandstands for Tenerife's International Motor Circuit.”
Environmental Grounds at the Core of the Decision
ATAN argued that the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), issued in 2011, had expired, as construction had not begun within the legally stipulated timeframe of 12 years. The court accepted this argument, concluding that the project’s EIA was no longer valid, thereby rendering the project approval unlawful.
In a statement, ATAN emphasized, “This decision establishes that the approval was not in compliance with the law, effectively nullifying this component of the circuit. It is worth noting that this project is one of four segments into which the Cabildo divided the overall initiative for the International Motor Circuit.”
Implications for the Broader Project
The annulment of the grandstand project represents the first judicial decision among four pending cases related to the controversial project. ATAN highlighted that the ruling sets a precedent that could impact the remaining project segments. They urged decision-makers to consider the court’s reasoning when evaluating the validity of other approvals tied to the circuit.
The proposed circuit has been a contentious issue, not only for environmental reasons but also due to its significant financial implications. The project is expected to cost the Tenerife Cabildo over €13 million in 2025 alone.
With the court's decision, the track faces considerable uncertainty, raising questions about the feasibility of completing it as planned. Further rulings are anticipated in the coming months, which may determine the future of this ambitious project.
