When developers announced plans to build a vast resort in the Veneguera valley in south-west Gran Canaria all hell broke loose. To general surprise, protests won the day.

After 20 years of delays, the Tauro artificial beach project is on; Grupo Anfi now has final approval from Spain's Costas department to make the beach and a 50-year concession to exploit it commercially. It expects to spend 6 million euros on the project and to be finished by the end of 2015. 

The new Tauro beach (which Grupo Anfi are imaginatively trying to brand as Anfi Tauro) will be twice the size of the existing pebble beach at 300 metres long and 50 metres wide. It's expected to be made from white sand imported from the Caribbean (like Anfi beach) rather than the coarser sand at Amadores beach (which was dredged from off Pasito Blanco). The initial project also seems to include a seafront promenade linking Tauro beach to Amadores.

Local footballer David Silva (a former sponsor of Anfi and investor in the Amadores Beach Club) has already christened the new beach by adding the first spadeful of sand at a press conference at Tauro beach this morning.

Anfi also plans to build a 400 berth marina at Tauro beach, along with 7,500 hotel beds and an 18.500 square metre recreational area (shops).

The development of Tauro beach by local firm Santana Cazorla took a step forward this week after Spain's Costas department gave it permission to create a 180 metres artificial beach.

Gran Canaria is to host the Spanish edition of the famous Porretta Soul Festival at an as-yet-unknown beach on the island, according to local producer Dania Dévora.

Maspalomas has its own palm tree oasis, lagoon and sand dune system. It's basically a miniature desert by the sea rather than a beach. It even has camels (which you can ride) but unlike a desert, there are convenient snack stands, comfy sun loungers and trained lifeguards.

With a beachfront promenade, white ballustrades, palm trees shading the sand and plenty of places to eat and drink close by, Salinetas beach is the most complete on the east coast.

Pasito Beach beach is one of the quietest in south Gran Canaria despite its turquoise water and fine sand.

Nudist Montaña de Arena is one of Gran Canaria's legendary wild beaches along with GüiGüi, Guayedra and El Confital. However, it's surprisingly accessible as it's right between the island's main resorts.

There's nothing like sitting in the shade of a palm tree listening to the breeze rustle through the fronds and the waves lapping at the shore. Here are 11 Gran Canaria beaches with palm trees right by the sand.

Everybody goes to Amadores beach and Playa del Inglés is busy every day. However, there are great sandy beaches in south Gran Canaria where you can sit on the sand surrounded by locals rather than tourists. Here are ten of the best.