A final decision has been made in Madrid on the long-running dispute over plans to build two new parking lots near the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The region’s highest court not only upheld the previous ban but also ordered the football club and city administration to cover legal costs.
Real Madrid, which won the tender to build the underground parking facilities, faced strong opposition from local residents. Their discontent stemmed from changes to the project that increased investment costs by nearly 40% compared to the original estimates. The court noted that after these adjustments, authorities failed to hold the required public consultation, which became one of the key arguments of the project’s opponents.
Additionally, it turned out that the project does not comply with urban planning regulations approved back in 2017. Judges paid particular attention to a 650-meter tunnel intended to lead to the parking areas. In the court’s view, this element does not serve the public interest and is designed solely for the club’s benefit. Moreover, city authorities were unable to provide convincing data on the transportation need for the new parking lots, further strengthening the opponents’ case.
As a result of the court ruling, the city hall must pay €6,000, and the club — €12,000 as compensation for legal expenses. So far, neither Real Madrid nor city officials have made official statements about their next steps. It is only known that the city hall’s lawyers are reviewing the verdict details, and both parties still have one month to potentially appeal.
The situation surrounding the Bernabéu stadium has once again become a focal point for Madrid residents. Now, the future of the area’s transport infrastructure remains uncertain, and the club will have to look for alternative solutions to the parking problem for fans and visitors.
