Second Airstrip for GrandCayman wins Tribunal Approval

An application for the construction for a private 1000 ft runway- to accommodate light aircraft has been allowed against the CentralPlanning Authority (CPA), at a hearing about a week ago.

The application for this airfield, which is reportedly ownedby the Hawley family - long term residents of Grand Cayman - wasfirst made in September of 1996 and subsequently refused approvalin September of 1998. It is understood that the Appeals Tribunalhas not yet submitted its reasons in favour of the developersto the CPA.

In the meantime, it is known that the dynamics of land usein that area of Breakers have changed dramatically with the approvalof a 65 acres motorpark in May of last year. The motorpark abutsthe 37 acre tract owned by the airstrip's developers, and "willaccommodate automobile racing and a family park with nature trails"according to Mr. Robert Campbell, one of the motorpark's principals.A Drug Rehabilitation facility, from refurbished buildings onthe Hawley Estate also received CPA approval for operation inthe same vicinity.

This airstrip, which is located inland, approximately 2000feet off the junction of the Frank Sound and East End Roads -just like the motor raceway - had quite a number of objections.However, in the long run there were also a respectable amountof signatures in support of the airstrip.

Its surface has already been prepped - and although visiblefrom the air - pilots have been banned from using it, as it isdemarcated with '"X" marks at either end - which denotesthat it does not have approval for landings and takeoffs - untilnow. It is not yet known whether or not the CPA will appeal theTribunal's ruling to the Grand Court.

In any event, the CPA will now have to deal with the applicationas an "after the fact" matter - as the field has alreadybeen built. Before the airstrip may become operational, thereare also some Government approvals - such as Civil Aviation, Customsand Immigration arrangements to be met.

Some resident and visiting aviators have complained for sometimethat there is no other airfield in which to land during the afternoon- as the Owen Robert's airport is quite active with the takeoffsand landings of commercial carriers. This 'suburban' airstripcan therefore relieve the present congestion of air traffic. Otherbenefits could be an increase of commercial activity for the EasternDistricts of East End and North Side.

A few days ago, Mr. David Morritt broke ground on a new 130unit resort - The Morritt Grand Resort - to compliment his alreadysuccessful time-share development, the 179 unit Morritt's TortugaClub on the beach at Colliers. This is further indication thatthe Eastern Districts are now coming into their own as there isalmost no more space left on Seven Mile Beach for Hotel and Condosdevelopment.

One local aviation analyst feels that the approval of thisrunway could be "significant" - though limited to aircraftwhich require short take off and landing space (STOL) - will bebeneficial to the community as there is presently no alternativeto the Owen Roberts runway. He further states that it could beused in emergencies. Last December, it was reported that a smallaircraft did make an unauthorised landing on this airstrip.

Cayman Net News' efforts to obtain a comment from the developersof this airstrip in connection with the ruling by the AppealsTribunal have been unsuccessful.