Tenerife Motor Circuit Project Faces Legal Setback Over Environmental Concerns

The ambitious Tenerife Motor Circuit project has encountered a significant legal challenge following a recent court ruling that has put its future in jeopardy. This development has sparked widespread debate about the balance between economic growth and environmental protection on the island.

Legal Developments and Environmental Implications

The Administrative Court No. 4 of Santa Cruz de Tenerife issued a ruling on November 10, determining that the Environmental Impact Report (EIS) for the Motor Circuit project has expired. This decision raises serious concerns regarding compliance with laws designed to protect endangered species and their habitats. The ruling aligns with the claims made by the environmental group ATAN, which is now preparing to request an immediate halt to all construction activities.

This ruling marks the fourth decision in a series of legal challenges concerning the segmented approval process utilized by the Tenerife Cabildo. Out of these four judgments, three have favored ATAN, while only one has supported the Cabildo’s stance. The implications of this ruling extend beyond just the project itself; they highlight the ongoing tension between development initiatives and environmental stewardship in the region.

Details Surrounding the Expired Environmental Permit

The court’s decision is rooted in the details surrounding the original EIS, which was approved in March 2011 and subsequently published later that year. A critical stipulation of this report was that it would become invalid if construction did not commence within five years. The Cabildo argued that this requirement was satisfied by conducting minimal work in August 2016, just before the deadline. This work included the extraction and replanting of protected plant species, track clearing, archaeological studies, and partial drainage excavation.

However, the court dismissed the Cabildo’s argument, stating that the actions taken were merely symbolic and did not constitute sufficient progress to maintain the validity of the environmental permit. The court characterized the completed work as “minimal and insignificant,” emphasizing that it failed to meet the necessary criteria to uphold the EIS.

Ignored Warnings and Growing Opposition

ATAN has pointed out that technical staff within the Cabildo had previously alerted officials about the invalidity of the EIS before the project received final approval. The organization criticized political leaders and members of the island’s environmental assessment committee for disregarding these warnings, suggesting a lack of due diligence in the approval process.

Furthermore, the ruling confirmed that the project contravenes the Canary Islands Catalogue of Protected Species, as the construction site in Granadilla de Abona is home to flora that requires strict protection. This aspect of the ruling underscores the potential ecological damage that could arise from the development, raising alarms among environmental advocates.

Despite these legal setbacks, the Tenerife Island Council has maintained its commitment to the project, citing a strong local interest in motorsport. The proposed Motor Circuit is set to cover at least 650,000 square meters, positioning it as one of the largest developments of its kind in the Canary Islands. Proponents argue that the circuit could boost tourism and create jobs, but opponents fear the environmental costs may outweigh the economic benefits.

Public sentiment against the project has been growing, with various environmental organizations, community groups, and segments of the scientific community expressing concerns about the ecological and economic ramifications of the development. In light of the recent court ruling, ATAN is expected to formally request the immediate suspension of all ongoing construction efforts, casting uncertainty over the future of the Motor Circuit.

Key points

• The Tenerife Motor Circuit project has been halted due to a court ruling on its expired Environmental Impact Report.
• The ruling was issued by the Administrative Court No. 4 of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on November 10.
• ATAN, an environmental group, has successfully challenged the project in three out of four court rulings.
• The original EIS was approved in March 2011, with a five-year deadline for construction to begin.
• The Cabildo’s argument for maintaining the permit was rejected by the court as insufficient.
• The project violates the Canary Islands Catalogue of Protected Species.
• Public opposition to the project has been increasing, highlighting ecological and economic concerns.