The environmental permits awarded to the Zandvoort racing track can remain in force pending a detailed court decision, the highest Dutch administrative court has ruled.

The Council of State ruling clears the way for the September Grand Prix to take place as planned.

A number of environmental groups had called on the courts to suspend the circuit’s  permit, until a definitive decision in their ongoing appeal had been taken.

They argue that the the province of Noord Holland should not have given a permit because of doubts about the way the nitrogen emissions generated by the racing and thousands of fans had been calculated.

Noord-Holland district court said earlier this year that the objections were without grounds and that the permit should remain in force, a decision which the green groups are now appealing.

A definitive ruling is not due until next year.