The Ministry of Environmental Protection approved the environmental impact assessment study for the National Football Stadium project, a prerequisite for obtaining a construction permit for the stadium’s above-ground phase.
Four public objections were submitted to the Ministry, including from University of Belgrade professors and the Regulatory Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment (RERI). Key concerns raised focused on:
- The stadium’s location on a sensitive water source supplying Belgrade, with a thin sediment layer (~2.3 meters) above groundwater, raising fears of contamination.
- Lack of detailed data on foundation piles (number, depth, material, protection measures) and monitoring of groundwater quality during construction.
- Wastewater treatment plans directing sewage to the Batajnica system, which is currently only in conceptual design and projected to be completed by 2031. As a fallback, sewage would be redirected to the infrastructure in Block 45.
The Ministry responded that the stadium lies in a low groundwater vulnerability zone, so no additional protections beyond current measures are necessary. It also stated that the study covers only the stadium plot, not other areas.
The consent decision is final but can be contested by interested parties through administrative court within 30 days of public notice.
Currently, only preparatory works (earthworks, foundation piles) have a construction permit issued in August 2024, for which no environmental impact assessment was required. The stadium’s phased construction means separate permits must be obtained for each phase.
Despite this, videos indicate that works may have progressed beyond the authorized preparatory phase. As of July 10, the Ministry of Finance, acting as investor, submitted a request for a construction permit for the next phase, with the procedure ongoing.
