The Netherlands' highest court on Wednesday dismissed claims by environmentalists against organisers of the Dutch Formula One Grand Prix that it threatened a nature reserve around the track and endangered species inhabiting the area.
The Dutch Grand Prix returned to the Formula One calendar after a break of 36 years in 2021 and is scheduled to be held for the third consecutive year on August 27.
The race, reinstated at the renovated Zandvoort circuit to bank on the popularity of Dutch world champion Max Verstappen, drew hundreds of thousands of spectators in the past two years and is sold out again this year.
Environmental activists have for years tried to stop local races at the picturesque Zandvoort circuit, hemmed in between the Dutch North Sea coast and a large nature reserve, about 25km west of Amsterdam.
In a series of lawsuits, the nature activists had demanded permits for the track's expansion be overturned, asserting builders had destroyed dune reserves where the rare natterjack toad and sand lizard live and breed.
They also said activities at the track throughout the year caused much more pollution than the organisers had stated in their applications for permits.
Their cases had been dismissed by a lower court in 2021 and the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday there were no legal grounds to overturn the decision.
“We are happy the court has found, after thorough consideration, that we have handled [the environment] with care,” Zandvoort director Robert Overdijk said.
However, the court said provincial authorities needed to reassess the concerns of the activists in considering whether the circuit would need a new environmental permit in future.
But this opinion does not affect events now scheduled.
“Activities and events at the Zandvoort circuit can continue,” the court said.
High court dismisses environmental claims against Dutch F1 GP
Image: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
The Netherlands' highest court on Wednesday dismissed claims by environmentalists against organisers of the Dutch Formula One Grand Prix that it threatened a nature reserve around the track and endangered species inhabiting the area.
The Dutch Grand Prix returned to the Formula One calendar after a break of 36 years in 2021 and is scheduled to be held for the third consecutive year on August 27.
The race, reinstated at the renovated Zandvoort circuit to bank on the popularity of Dutch world champion Max Verstappen, drew hundreds of thousands of spectators in the past two years and is sold out again this year.
Environmental activists have for years tried to stop local races at the picturesque Zandvoort circuit, hemmed in between the Dutch North Sea coast and a large nature reserve, about 25km west of Amsterdam.
In a series of lawsuits, the nature activists had demanded permits for the track's expansion be overturned, asserting builders had destroyed dune reserves where the rare natterjack toad and sand lizard live and breed.
They also said activities at the track throughout the year caused much more pollution than the organisers had stated in their applications for permits.
Their cases had been dismissed by a lower court in 2021 and the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday there were no legal grounds to overturn the decision.
“We are happy the court has found, after thorough consideration, that we have handled [the environment] with care,” Zandvoort director Robert Overdijk said.
However, the court said provincial authorities needed to reassess the concerns of the activists in considering whether the circuit would need a new environmental permit in future.
But this opinion does not affect events now scheduled.
“Activities and events at the Zandvoort circuit can continue,” the court said.
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