Tenerife Motor Circuit Project Faces Major Setback as Water Council Moves to Cancel Key License

The ambitious Tenerife Motor Circuit project has encountered a significant obstacle, as the Island Water Council has initiated the process to revoke a vital license that was previously granted to the Cabildo. This development raises serious questions about the future of the project, which has been a topic of contention since its inception.

License Revocation Proceedings Initiated

In a recent announcement published in the BOC (Official Bulletin of the Canary Islands), it was revealed that the license in question has lapsed. This lapse is attributed to the failure of the island’s Roads Department to comply with the necessary execution timelines for the associated works. The license is crucial for modifications to watercourses that are integral to the Project for the Adaptation of the Tenerife International Motor Park to the Flood Defence Plan, located in Granadilla de Abona in southern Tenerife.

This particular permit was initially issued on December 1, 2014, and has undergone two extensions, with the most recent extension granted on March 6, 2024. The revocation of this license could have far-reaching implications for the project, which aims to transform the region into a premier motorsport destination.

Public Consultation Period Opens

As part of the revocation process, a public consultation period lasting 20 days is set to commence on January 26. During this time, individuals and legal entities will have the opportunity to examine the project files and submit any objections they may have. This consultation is a critical step in ensuring that community voices are heard regarding the future of the motor circuit and its potential impact on the environment and local residents.

Ongoing Legal Challenges and Environmental Concerns

The Motor Circuit, which is projected to cover at least 650,000 square meters and cost approximately 51 million euros, has faced persistent criticism and legal challenges since its inception. A court ruling last November determined that the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) had expired, declaring that the construction was in violation of the Canary Islands Law on Protected Species. This ruling has intensified scrutiny on the project, as environmental groups and concerned citizens raise alarms about its potential ecological consequences.

In the wake of this ruling, the environmental organization ATAN has called for an immediate halt to all construction activities. ATAN has lodged four separate administrative appeals, each corresponding to different components of the project as delineated by the Cabildo. These appeals highlight the growing concern over the environmental integrity of the proposed motor circuit.

In relation to the Flood Defence Plan, the court sided with ATAN, emphasizing that the EIS is no longer valid. The ruling criticized the minor works cited by the Cabildo as justification for the EIS’s continued relevance, describing them as “minimal, insignificant, and of little substance.” The judge pointed out that an EIS approved in 2011 cannot remain valid after 12 years simply because a few limited actions were performed on site. These minimal actions included the removal of protected vegetation, its subsequent replanting, clearing the proposed track route, conducting archaeological studies, and excavation work related to drainage systems.

The future of the Tenerife Motor Circuit project now appears increasingly uncertain as legal and administrative challenges continue to escalate. The combination of the license revocation process, the public consultation period, and ongoing legal battles suggests that significant hurdles remain before the project can proceed. Stakeholders are left to ponder the implications of these developments, particularly in terms of environmental sustainability and community impact.

Key points

• The Island Water Council has begun proceedings to annul a key license for the Tenerife Motor Circuit.
• The license has expired due to missed execution deadlines by the Roads Department.
• A public consultation period of 20 days will start on January 26 for objections.
• The project has faced legal challenges, including a court ruling that the Environmental Impact Statement is no longer valid.
• ATAN has filed four administrative appeals against the project components.
• The Motor Circuit is projected to cost 51 million euros and cover 650,000 square meters.
• Environmental concerns have been raised regarding the project’s compliance with local laws.