Spring last year saw the beginning of an ambitious beach recovery project aimed at shoring up and beautifying the coastline at Sotogrande. The private initiative, funded and managed by Sotogrande S.A., began with the replacement of over 12,000m2 of sand that had been lost to Sotogrande beach over the past two years. In addition to the incursions made by winter storms and rains this stretch of coastline forms a broad, gentle curve along which parallel currents can undercut the beach and carry off tons of sand each year.
In addition to replacing the sand lost in previous years and restoring Sotogrande’s beach to its full glory, the plan also aims to provide greater protection and flooding control for the homes and businesses that line the shore in the area. With a view to this the plan also includes the building of two breakwaters that lessen the effect of currents, calm the waters and minimise the loss of sand from the beaches – thus reducing the costly process of replacing sand on a periodic basis.
Though privately funded, the project had to be presented to the authorities for approval, and promptly got passed by both the Environment Ministry’s Directorate General for Coasts and the Andalusian Regional Government’s Environmental Ministry.
The beautification and protection of Sotogrande’s coastline is seen as an important measure not only to protect property and promote the enjoyment of the beach areas for tourists and visitors alike, but also as a continuation of the preservation work embodied in the many natural zones and protected reserves to be found within Sotogrande’s beautiful enclave of greenery.
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