Actual situation of the l'Ahuir beach

CURRENT LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT

At the present time the l'Ahuir beach is in its natural, virgin state. Its future seems to be either as an urbanised, fully developed beach or one where low-level development maintains part of its original, natural aspect.

In 1983 the beach was classified as "urban" meaning that it could be developed and the owners at that time saw the possibility to profit from this, however problems arose three years later in 1986, when Spain became part of the European Union.

The beach is separated from Gandia's main beach, but with every kind of services available and is suitable for the practise of water sports and nudism.

Situated in the province of Valencia, it is one of the beaches of the Valencian Community and is 1.760 metres long. The beach projects back from the shoreline by an average of 70 metres. The density of occupation is low with the beach being separated from the promenade of Gandia’s main beach.

The beach consists of fine, golden sand, with good bathing conditions in calm water without strong currents. The area behind the beach has vegetation and is protected. The beach has been awarded the FEE blue flag. There is a lifeguard service, and a three colour flag system to warn of dangerous bathing conditions.

REGULATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
There are two directives of the European Union that affect the situation of the beach, the first being the Birds Directive regarding the conservation of wild birds. The second is the Habitat Directive for the conservation of natural habitats and their flora and fauna.

DIVERGENT OPINIONS
After interviewing technicians, university professors and representatives of the local government, it is clear that there are three different opinions:
1. Many of those interviewed agreed that the current situation of the beach cannot continue and that action needs to be taken. The divergence of opinions can be resumed as:
a. Those who favour an environmentalist approach; helping the beach ecosystem to recover and linking it to the nearby marsh to create a single natural park that would include the marsh, the dunes and the space between them - which would be the area between the dunes and the road (the area currently approved for development). This would require the purchase of this land from the current owners (private and companies)
b. Those who believe that by applying the current local, national and European planning regulations it would be possible to have some development in the space between the road and the sand dunes. This would result in an area that is natural but also includes some building; generating wealth and creating jobs while protecting the beach.
2. The alternative option would be to take no action at the moment, leaving the area undeveloped until further studies and investigation show what the best course of action should be, so that nothing irreversible is done now that might be regretted in the future.