Granadilla Motor Circuit Future Uncertain After Court Invalidates Access Plans

The future of the Granadilla de Abona Motor Circuit is uncertain following a recent ruling by the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC). The Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife) has decided not to appeal the court’s decision to invalidate the project’s northern access plans. This effectively means the Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) that authorized the current construction has expired.

Because of this, the Council must now restart the administrative process to secure a new environmental permit. Despite this hurdle, the island government maintains that the Territorial Action Project (PAT), approved in 2005, remains valid. They intend to use this as the legal foundation to continue the project. Currently, legal teams are reviewing how the ruling affects the existing construction contract to decide if work should be temporarily suspended.

The project has faced a complicated path over the last two decades. The 2011 environmental permit required construction to begin within five years. While work started in August 2016, it has been stop-and-go, delayed by contract terminations and the need for new bidding processes, including the one that brought in the current Sacyr-Bahillo joint venture.

The Cabildo views the circuit as a vital project rather than just a construction site. They argue that a dedicated, safe facility is a long-standing request from the local motor community. The goal is to provide a controlled space for training and to improve road safety by moving racing activities away from public roads.

While the TSJC ruling is a significant setback, the Cabildo insists the project remains viable. They plan to move forward by meeting the new environmental and legal requirements necessary to keep the circuit on track.