Recurso de ecologistas contra circuito urbano de Fórmula 1 de Madrid admitido

The Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) has admitted for processing the appeal filed by the Madrid Ecologist Platform against the plan of the Madrid City Council with modifications to build the urban Formula 1 circuit at Ifema.

The First Section of the Administrative Litigation Chamber of the TSJM has decreed the admission of the appeal for processing and has requested the Madrid City Council to provide the corresponding administrative file for the plan.

This approach, as detailed by the ecologist association, has been used to reorganize the internal and external space of the trade fair area and modify the urban planning conditions and parameters to make possible the implementation of the new activities and constructions planned that the implementation of the Formula 1 circuit requires.

According to the Madrid Ecologist Platform, the Special Plan incurs «various irregularities,» and they add that the location is not justified and there is no need to build an urban racing circuit, with the impacts it will cause on the neighborhood, both in terms of mobility and acoustic pollution.

Furthermore, they warn of the environmental impact with the removal of over 700 trees and the destruction of the numerous wetlands in the northern parcel that, they add, «have not been adequately assessed,» as well as «serious urban planning deficiencies» incurred by the new planning, regarding the modification of the Vereda de los Leñeros livestock path.

And they denounce that the Madrid City Council has granted «authorization for autonomous parts activity,» and works have been initiated that are destroying a significant portion of the wetlands in the northern parcel, between Francisco Umbral Street and Alejandro de la Sota Avenue.

131 favorable reports

The Delegate for Urban Planning, Environment, and Mobility, Borja Carabante, has defended the project and stated that the Madrid City Council will transfer «the entire file» to the courts, but has recalled that the project’s license contained 131 favorable reports.

The delegate noted that «it is normal for courts to request information» from the City Council and they will be «ready» to provide it.

In addition, he recalled that the license is supported by the central Government, the Community, and the Madrid City Council.

The official acknowledged that in the municipal Government, they are «calm» because the courts «can verify that the procedure has been followed» and that the project «meets all the legal requirements to be approved.»