Shrinking beach puts homes in danger

VERAPLAYAZUL residents’ association has spoken out on the state of Vera’s nudist beach and warned that the first line homes are in danger due to erosion.

The association has estimated that the beach has reduced in size by 60 per cent over the last 20 years and complains that the situation worsened following construction of a breakwater to protect the local nudist hotel’s beach.

That is the only part of a project approved by the EU some years ago to protect seven kilometres of sand in Vera, the association complained. Rather than improving the situation, it in fact worsened matters by putting more pressure on neighbouring beaches and causing more dirt to gather. Plus, Veraplayazul complained, cement remains which was put down for construction of the breakwater and the coast department also made the mistake of bringing in pebbles instead of sand.

The Ministry of Agriculture, responsible for the Coastal department, Junta de Andalucia regional government and Vera Council all seem to be passing the hot potato around while the beaches continue to shrink, the association said.

Veraplayazul intends to take the matter up with the EU in the hope that it can unblock the project approved in 2007 to build a large breakwater to protect the entire area. In the meantime, it is trying to persuade those in charge to create a reef off the coastline to provide some protection before houses are affected or tourists decide to head elsewhere to more enticing beaches.