AS Roma`s long-awaited new stadium project is facing fresh legal challenges, this time centered around the protection of local bat populations. The Serie A club, which has been working on plans for a new arena for nearly two decades, is encountering yet another hurdle in its efforts to construct a state-of-the-art facility in the Pietralata area of Rome.
Despite recently overcoming a legal battle to remove an illegally occupied scrapyard from the proposed site, Roma now finds itself embroiled in a dispute over the removal of 26 trees. Local environmental groups have initiated legal proceedings, arguing that these trees serve as crucial habitats for a specific bat species.
The club is currently awaiting a verdict from the TAR tribunal regarding permission to remove the trees, which is necessary to conduct required archaeological excavations in the area. Environmental lawyers are threatening legal action against both Roma and the local council if the tree removal proceeds, citing potential damage to the bat population.
Roma`s stadium project includes plans for significant ecological improvements, including the planting of 819 new trees as part of a sustainable stadium design surrounded by parkland. However, this commitment has not deterred opposition from local committees concerned about the immediate impact on wildlife.
This latest setback underscores the complex challenges facing major infrastructure projects in historically and ecologically sensitive areas. As Roma continues to navigate these obstacles, the club`s long-held dream of a new home stadium remains in a precarious balance between progress and preservation.