The National Trust's Role
Dear Sir,
In light of recent comments that the NationalTrust for the Cayman Islands is largely responsible for a downfallin Cayman's economy, we write to clarify not only the misguidednature of these comments, but also to confirm our mandated roleand our position on the issue of development, and its sustainability.
It is no secret that a country's economy,especially a country as small as Cayman, is impacted by an intricateweb of variables. Thus, although it is commonly recognised thata change in pace of development is an indicator of a slowing orgrowing economy, to allege that the Trust's objection to a fewselected planning applications is the main culprit behind Cayman'sperceived slowing economy, is preposterous.
Economies are notoriously cyclical, andCayman's economy is no exception. It is very easy and convenientto cast blame on the Trust, but the reality is that any downturnin the economy is the result of countless reasons.
Of importance is the reality that of thenumerous applications submitted annually to the Planning Department,the Trust objects to only a selected few that are at odds withthe Trust's Mission which is to preserve natural environmentsand places of historic significance for present and future generationsof the Cayman Islands. Equally as important is the very real factthat we are mandated by law to protect native flora and faunaand to preserve Cayman's built heritage.
Therefore, when planning applications thatthreaten environmentally or historically significant areas cometo our attention, we have no choice but to do everything possibleto try to protect those areas - the law requires that we do so.As a result, some have questioned, "Is this a good law?"
The National Trust Law was inspired somefifteen years ago by a group of individuals with a genuine appreciationfor Cayman's environment and built heritage who had the foresightto appreciate the extent to which these elements affect qualityof life in Cayman. Indeed the law would not have been passed hadthere not been an overall acknowledgement that in Cayman's riseto the top as an offshore financial centre and tourist destination,there was an indisputable need to protect and preserve an exceptionalheritage that risked being extinguished in the absence of legislationto sustain it.
The National Trust Law was, and continuesto be, a good law, established for the benefit of the people ofthe Cayman Islands. Surely our current membership of 1700 plusis a testament to the worthiness of the Law. Therefore, accusationsthat the Trust acts 'selfishly' are misguided and unfortunate.Also, the Trust, as is any person aggrieved, is empowered withthe right to object to planning applications through Section 45(1)of the Planning Law. To deny our right of objection would meandenying everyone's right to object.
We do not dispute the importance of developmentto Cayman's economy nor do we have any desire to halt it. In fact,let us dispel the myth right now that the Trust is anti-development.This couldn't be further from the truth. We appreciate the importanceof development to Cayman's quality of life just as we do the preservationof our environment and built heritage.
What we try to do is simply to balance developmentwith conservation so that one does not occur at the expense ofthe other.
Our mission, is at the root of every decision we make, and implicitwithin this mission is the concept of balanced development. Weare of the opinion that appropriate balance should be carriedforward in the planning process itself. As a result, the Trustis keen to see decision making processes, with respect to development,that are transparent, take a holistic approach, and are fair.For those who claim emphatically that development needs to be'more balanced', we must ask "balanced with what?" Ifnot conservation, then what?
These days everyone is familiar with theexpression 'sustainable development', but what many may not recogniseis that sustainable development is based entirely on the premisethat the past, present, and future are inextricably linked. Toisolate the present and to make decisions based solely on whatbenefits us in the present, is dangerous and in fact selfish,not to mention unsustainable.
Prosperity achieved in the present, withoutconsideration of the past and future, is precarious at best. Infact, there are many examples of societies around us that havesuccumbed to the effects of the short-sighted ways in which theypursued prosperity, causing irreversible damage to their environmental,social , cultural, as well as economic fabric simply because theymade decisions based solely on the present.
Of course, it is always the present generationthat feels the strain of a recession, which should not be minimised.But to plough forward giving economic considerations alone reignover our decisions is short-sighted and is inconsiderate of futureas well as past generations. There is always a middle ground andthe Trust seeks nothing more - let us develop and let us conserve- we can surely do both simultaneously.
The Vision 2008 National Strategic Planin its entirety, developed by the people of the Cayman Islands,for the people of the Cayman Islands, is a clear directive forsustainability. In fact, the Vision 2008 strategy 10 clearly states,"We will develop and implement a growth management plan toachieve and maintain a balance between the natural and built environment."
The characteristics of our natural environmentmake the Cayman Islands what they are - a great place to live,work and visit. All the components of our natural environment(the wetlands, the dry forests, the coral reefs, etc.) serve severalessential purposes and add in more intangible ways to the qualityof life we enjoy in Cayman. This is why the people strategicallyprovided for their protection in the Vision 2008 Plan.
To relegate the value of our wetlands tonothing more than mosquito-infested swamps is to be totally misinformed.It is 2001 and we all know better. As well, our built heritageis a visible expression of our cultural roots and for those whofeel that we ignore the highest and best use of land for the profitthat it promises, we will continue to argue that reusing old buildingsand preserving old neighbourhoods in new ways, is a case of goodeconomics.
Our built heritage has elicited the bestof Caymanian imagination, stamina, design, determination, ingenuity,practical know-how, and fellowship. It deserves a place in ourfuture.
The National Trust is not a radical, inflexible,selfish organisation. Where planning applications threaten significantenvironmental or historic sites, we are always open to the possibilityof compromise that, to some degree, benefits present and futuregenerations. Integrity is our fundamental value reflected in ourcommitment to actions that are transparent, responsible, accountable,consistent, and true to our mission.
Please, if you have not already, we extendto you an open invitation to come and visit us so that we mayshare with you all the wonderful things we have accomplished overthe years toward sustainable development and the protection andpreservation of our environment and built heritage, and for allthe great things to come!
The National Trust forthe Cayman Islands