National Trust Asserts Itselfas Appeal Withheld
The Planning Appeal Tribunalhas upheld appeals by the Cayman Islands National Trust and MrBilly Adam against an earlier ruling that allowed Cayman ShoresDevelopment Ltd to remove and fill 1,496,000 cubic yards of materialon Grand Cayman.
The area that was to beaffected was property owned by Cayman Shores Development nearto the Seven Mile Beach and the North Sound on the West Bay Road.
In making its judgementlast week the tribunal ruled that the matter shall be sent backfor consideration by the Central Planning Authority and the informationneeds of the successful applicants be addressed.
After that judgement theNational Trust issued the following release,
"The Cayman Shoresapplication to the Central Planning Authority sought planningpermission for the clearing of a large amount of mangrove andthe removal of 868,000 cubic yards of fill and 628,000 cubic yardsof mulch over an 8 year period. There was no application for anyother development on this site. It was basically an applicationto excavate lakes with no purpose expressed to the Central PlanningAuthority.
"The National TrustLaw charges the Trust with, among other things, the protectionof native flora and fauna. Substantial damage would have resultedfrom the clearing and excavation for which planning permissionwas sought. This view was shared by the consultants who conductedthe environmental assessment reports filed in connection withthe application for the planting permission.
"The only long termbenefit is the financial benefit (stamp, duties, impact fees,work permit fees and salaries) that would start to be paid whenconstruction is commenced. The developer did not seek any permissionto construct anything on the site and no application was beforethe CPA for any works that would give rise to the only benefitexpressed to flow from the project.
"To clear mangrovefor the purpose of the land reclamation with, what appears tobe, no prospect of development, is an unsustainable use of landand natural resources. The Appeal Tribunal's decision, which underscoresthe importance of balanced and responsible development, is thereforewelcome by the Trust."