Brescia Beach Renovation Halted Again by Environmental Authorities
Apparently, the Spiaggia d’Oro must be cursed. Consider that over the past ten years, the charming seaside resort, located midway between Rivoltella and Desenzano, has often had to wear the black badge of swimming restrictions due to repeated notices issued by the Servizio d’Igiene Pubblica ed Ambientale of Salò.
This year, a longstanding taboo was finally supposed to be broken. Yet, what happens? Yesterday morning, a fax arrived from the Soprintendenza ai Beni Ambientali di Broscia on the desk of Desenzano’s mayor, Cino Anelli. When the alpine mayor read it, he was stunned: it was the latest, specifically the second, halt to the renovation and modernization project for the Spiaggia d’Oro.
Luck, or the lack thereof, is evident. Because just as the beach was declared swimmable for the first time during full Ferragosto, alongside fifty-one other beaches along the Brescia Riviera, tourists will have to forego enjoying it. Even though, in any case, the beach would have been out of commission in less than a month, as the bathing season is about to end.
Reactions and Rejected Project
The fax arrived mid-morning, and by noon, a first summit was convened in the technical office. Follow-up meetings took place throughout the afternoon. The Soprintendenza struck hard once again.
The project, recall, proposed a radical transformation of the beach and the green strip behind it. For some, it was a “premier project” because it would definitively upgrade an area that has long appeared somewhat neglected, almost marginalized.
The plan included expanding the lido, creating an inlet and an amphitheater with steps, and refurbishing the tree-lined avenue connecting the main road to the beach, with new planting and redesign of the area where carnival caravans currently park. These, roughly, are the main features of the project, which had already been rejected twice before.
The Municipal Administration is strongly committed to the renovation of the Spiaggia d’Oro; it was almost a gamble for them. Clearly, the administrators fear they will face criticism from residents and tourists alike.
Moreover, the project had already been funded with over 720 million lire. No comments were made yesterday morning at Palazzo Bagatta: no one was eager to issue statements.
Yet, just over a week ago, the mayor himself, accompanied by Assessore Tommaso Giardino, had visited the Soprintendenza ai Beni Ambientali di Broscia for a “decisive” meeting to advance the project—in fact, to ensure its successful completion.
The initial impressions from the local officials had been optimistic. Instead, yesterday came a cold shower from the Soprintendenza, which again halted the project, citing concerns that the intervention might be “in conflict with the existing landscape and environmental constraints” in the area.
If one were to speculate further, it could be argued that the excavation of the shoreline appeared “excessive.” However, as one administrator pointed out, the project had been “well received even by environmentalists.”
Finally, a final remark on the relationship between Comune and Soprintendenza: too often, beyond the merits or flaws of a project, much more complex motives interfere—those involving the delicate balance of relationships between local authorities and the state institution.
Moreover, it remains unclear what purpose the previous contacts with the Soprintendenza served if they then proceeded to strike down the project twice. Disclosed sources suggest that the project was also modified, supposedly “based on suggestions” from architects in Brescia.
So why has a new halt been issued?