CHARLESTOWN,Nevis, February 23, 2016 -- A cross-section of participants signed a petition yesterday, Monday February 22 that requests Nevis Island Administration(NIA) to provide the public with a permit and an Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) of the proposed Candy Resort at Liburd Hill on the island of Nevis.
The meeting, attended by a cross-section of local Nevisians, residents home owners and developers was convened by One Nevis and facilitated by a foreign community organizer, Christopher Hopkins.
A petition was presented and although there was no consensus of opinion from the people attending the meeting, some signed the petition. The petition, addressed to the Premier of Nevis, Hon. Vance Amory reads in part.
The contents of the letter to the Premier highlight concerns. The letter says in part, “The developer is planning three or more projects on the island and will likely import his labor for that as well taking jobs away from local Nevisians who elected you to office.”
“Despite promises when seeking approvals, the developer has brought in imported labor that are both living in a shack on the site with an outhouse draining onto the beach and occupying a derelict building on the site without adequate drainage and sewage. This project was presented as bringing new jobs to the island and it has not.”
“It failed to comply with the Nevis Physical Planning and Development Control Ordinance. An environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) that reflected the revised plans and addressed impacts to marine and costal resources has not been submitted. The public was not given any or adequate notice of the planning application to allow them to review and comment on the plans. The developer failed to provide adequate drainage and an adequate sewage system for the site which could pollute the ocean and present adverse impacts to the marine ecology. Construction has already resulted in severe erosion of the beach and potentially severe damage to the adjacent reef and coastal system.”
There were mixed reactions shortly before the meeting was called to order. One person constantly disrupted the meeting. The person said Nevis Island Assembly Opposition members were in the meeting and claimed that no government official was in the meeting. Others demanded to know the community organiser’s credentials. He said he was acting on behalf of One Nevis.
Hopkins told the meeting that flyers for the meeting were handed out randomly to local and residents in Nevis. He further noted that no government officials or opposition members were invited specifically. “They came because they saw the flyer and wanted to know what was going on,” he said.
According to the meeting notification flyer, a Chinese developer, is said to be building the Candy Resort Development at Herbert’s Beach. According to the flyer, he is also planning at least three more citizenship developments on the island.
A cross-section of people on the island of Nevis are objecting to the project and so is the Nevis Historic and Conservation Society(NHCS). In a letter dated August 20, 2014, the non-profit detailed some serious concerns with the project.
The letter read in part, “We expressed concern as to transparency of who are the principals of the development group Caribbean Development Ltd.(CDCL). Transparency should be an important ingredient t any evaluation of any proposed development project. The environmental portion dealing with the animals and particularly the bird species gave the impression that the developers really do not care about the wildlife in the project area.”
“We expressed our concern about the numerous empty
and unused condo units around the island of Nevis, benefiting no one….We requested a qualified archaeologist being on the site during all ground disturbances and we have received no response. We know that from our numerous archeological expeditions, we have determined that the history of the Amerindians was centered mostly along the coastline and as such our coastline developments must involve archeologists.”
“Much concern was expressed about the waste water treatment plan and the potential for aquatic pollution, both marine and terrestrial. The concerns have become even more pressing now that the project has started. There is no evidence of a drainage plan for the 4.4 acres, the site has been cut clear from the road to the beach. There is no adequate sewage system for the site. The potential for polluting the ocean and the adverse effects to our marine resources are vast.”
The letter also stated that a wall is being constructed at the main road and we wonder how that will affect the people’s right to beach access. Is the building density acceptable under the Department of Planning’s policies and guidelines? The developer appears to have brought on many Chinese workers who appear to be living in conditions unbecoming of Nevisian standards.”
“We continue to be extremely concerned that the project is not meeting the high quality image Nevis has established as a ‘high end’ destination and seriously urge the NIA to take these concerns seriously and have the developers conform to doing what is right for Nevis.”
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