‘Beach access for ALL’ campaign launched

| 19/10/2017 | 90 Comments
Cayman News Service

Remaining access on Boggy Sands

(CNS): Local beach access remains a major point of contention on Grand Cayman, despite government efforts to address the legislation surrounding the issue. But now Morne Botes, who successfully campaigned to save Smith Cove from developers last year, has begun a new campaign to focus on the broader problem of beach access for all, including wheelchair users. Former planning minister Kurt Tibbetts steered two bills through parliament in March to ensure public access to the beaches but many landowners are still blocking easements to the waterfront, and the people’s right to access the beach continues to be eroded.

Although Botes is a developer, he describes himself as an activist and genuinely has concerns about the excessive amount of development that has happened on Grand Cayman, believing the beach is a special place they we all should have access to.

A specific example of an area where access has been a problem for a long time is Boggy Sands. Botes told CNS that there were once four beach access points in that picturesque little community of West Bay but now there is only one and the recent impact from tropical Storm Nate has made that access treacherous.

The loss of access is due to landowners who have erected gates and barriers, as they insist that access points which were once public are on their land. The MLA for the constituency of West Bay South, Tara Rivers, has said she is working to address the beach access issue in the district; and MLA of the neighbouring district for West Bay West, McKeeva Bush, told Cayman 27 News that the gates “will be opened”.

But so far the gates along Boggy Sands remain firmly closed and many other beach access points around the island remain blocked, with areas of beach also fenced off, making it hard for people to enjoy the waterfront.  

Botes told CNS that he is hopeful that, with the right people working on the issue, the new legislation should help improve access in future but that he wants to see current public access points honoured and re-opened and new developments forced to create more access points.

He said that he has started the ‘Beach Access for ALL’ campaign and launched a Facebook page so that the community has a focal point where they can discuss the issue and post details of access points that are blocked so that the authorities can be notified and action taken.

Botes is also focusing on wheelchair access to allow those with special needs to enjoy Cayman’s stunning beaches and is promoting the idea of introducing mobile beach access mats.

Visit the ‘Beach Access for ALL’ Facebook page here

Related Ask Auntie columns:

Disputing fire lanes marked by condo

 and An Auntie success story

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Comments (90)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Whilst we are on the topic of the public using the beach, perhaps we should be discussing with passion, why our Government GAVE AWAY our Public Beach on West Bay Road to a few vendors!! Now that is a disgrace that needs to be heavily debated!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Good luck trying to get the access mat through the gong show of chairs/vendors and massage tables!

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  2. Anonymous says:

    I have just returned to the UK from Grand Cayman, I have visited every year with my family for the last 5 years. This year we noticed a vast change in the way that beachfront hotels are erecting signs closer to the public access points and closer to the water line.The result of this is that visitors to the beach tend to funnel into the no mans land in between 2 properties and settle down there. This is exactly what the condo/hotel owners want, to corral the public in to 6ft wide sections of beach in between their respective properties.The owners of the properties are creating what seems at first look to be a “keep off this beach is private /ours” situation. Visitors are blissfully unaware that they can settle anywhere on the beach down towards the water line in front of a hotel or not, and bring and consume their own food and beverages.
    We were savvy enough to know where we can go, but many visitors do not.
    As an earlier respondent commented it is time for the Cayman local councillors to “take back control”. Perhaps erect signs to inform visitors and more importantly the beachfront owners that all beaches are public.
    It is sad to watch many visitors just feel too intimidated to settle on what is a public asset and enjoy the magnificent surroundings.
    I felt so strongly that public access was being eroded that on my return I sent an email to Councillor for West Bay ,Capt Ebanks. I informed him of the signage issue at the public access route at the westin/VOG and around the Ritz he kindly replied and agreed that the positioning of the signage by the owners was indeed questionable.
    It is time for the local council/government to act on this issue, erect signage to confirm public access to all. Then it will be job done to a large extent and at small cost. Tourists will not return if they feel intimidated in using some of the finest public beaches anywhere in the world.

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  3. Morne Botes says:

    Prescriptive rights of way. The Govenment of 2003 under took a survey of most of Grand Cayman beach accesses and public walkways. There are close to 200 affidavits already on file. We are working off these to re open the accesses on Boggy Sand Road and others. I will contact the public in the next few weeks to complete more affidavits. Thanks.

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    • Anonymous says:

      There is a lawful marked access to the beach near the mouth of Boggy Sand Lane near a pink house. I have been on Boggy Sand for decades and this access has been clearly marked for all to see.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Just walk on the beaches and do your own thing it’s your right to do so. I take great pleasure in telling obnoxious owners that fishermen and the public can legally be on X beach as long as they don’t breach the peace and spirit. As for the ironshore the queen apparently owns it and gives a status that nobody owns it free for all

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    • Hancock says:

      There is a lot of ironshore at Pedro’s . Are you sure the queen owns it. I think you will find the CIG does not agree.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Try going to Balboa beach in town. It is now fenced off thanks to our CPA . Then you pay the owner $10 to go swimming. Moreover they have no TCB licence. The owner is above the law.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wrong on both counts. Take legal advice my friend.

  5. Anonymous says:

    It’s not that difficult to understand – there is no beach anywhere in Cayman that is private in terms of members of public being allowed to use it (but people do have ‘private beaches’ – they’re just not 100% private). However there are private access routes to the same public beaches. All that means is that it is difficult or inconvenient to have to walk a bit further than you’d like to get to part of the beach, but perfectly legal for anyone to sit on any part of any beach – below should help, also search the Prescription Law….and we should all go looking for those Public Beach Access signs, some seem to go missing before roads/bridges/hotels/walls are built….am sure some have gone away in central SMB recently….

    The public access to Cayman’s beaches is by the recognized public rights of way which are
    usually clearly marked on maps and physically on the ground. Landowners over whose land these public rights of way exist are under a legal duty to make sure that they are kept free and clear of any obstruction or debris.
    Once members of the public arrive on the beach the following rules apply:
    The seaward boundary of a landowner‟s or tenant‟s property is, in tidal waters, the mean highwater mark. Between the mean high water mark and the low water mark, known as “foreshore”, the land belongs to the Crown as does anything below the sea up to the limit of territorial waters.
    Where, however, a landowner‟s property consists of “beach” above the mean high water mark, then the usual rule, that a landowner can eject anyone he chooses from his land, is displaced.
    Members of the public have the right to use any part of Cayman‟s beaches for recreation even though the part of the beach being used is on private property, i.e. is above the mean high water mark. Such a public right is one of a group of rights which members of the public enjoy , even over private land, in the Cayman Islands. It is a right which the law presumes to have existed for many years and which members of the public have acquired under the Prescription Law.
    Whilst members of the public have no rights to use private property such as beach furniture
    which belongs to beachfront property owners, they may not be prevented from using the beach or passing to and fro along the beach even where the beach they use is on private land. Hotel managers should ensure that all staff working on the beach such a security personnel and food and beverage staff are aware of the law and that the public right to use any part of the beach is not restricted or limited in any way.

    So you can all go and sit on the Kimpton or Boggy Sands beach all you want, just dont use their chairs

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Maybe Mr Botes who “is a developer” should be clarifying his position a bit more clearly here? He appears to be an “activist” concerned with beach access for all but conveniently holds up as a prime example the beach access (or lack of) along Boggy Sands Road. Not central SMB, not East End, not Frank Sound – just Boggy Sands Road. Where do you think his development is? He didn’t feel it was necessary to make the declaration as part of his “campaign”, CNS haven’t picked him up on it and no one has commented on it. I’ll do it for him then. Morne Botes is the developer of – you guessed it – Boggy Sands Club. Boggy Sands Road has no PUBLIC rights of way from the road to the beach. There are PRIVATE rights of way which benefit some of the owners on the land side of Boggy Sands Road but no PUBLIC ones, hence the fact that they are locked. Windsong apartments (previously owned by Botes) was one of beneficiaries of one of these private rights of way but his new development is not.

    You can bet the ranch that if his development was on the beach side of Boggy Sands Road he’d be the first person making sure that the adjacent gates were securely locked in order to keep the beach private and to charge a premium for the real estate.

    Whilst I agree that beach access should be for all in Cayman and would support any campaign that calls for better enforcement of existing rights of way and the laws which protect access, I won’t accept a preaching from a guy who claims that the island is being overdeveloped whilst dropping 50,000 sqft of residential product into “the quiet part of Seven Mile Beach” (his website). XXXX and while the wider effort is laudable, he should be absolutely clear about his motivation for driving this campaign. Beach access for all is a distant second. Beach access for his development at Boggy Sands, and subsequently his bottom line, is the priority here. No doubt this was the motivation for the Save the Cove campaign too. Even back then he was using Boggy Sands Road as the shining example when, in reality, it’s happening everywhere.

    To be clear, there is a PUBLIC right of way at Cemetery Beach and you, me, the future residents of Boggy Sands Club and everyone else is well within their right to use it, turn right at the high water mark and then walk along the beach in front of the houses on Boggy Sands Road. It’s the long way round for the future residents of Boggy Sands Club though.

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    • Morne Botes says:

      Thank you for joining the debate. I am at Legoland today with the Kids but will response tonight.
      I believe in open dialog, annonimity does not work well in causes like this, so I would appreciate if you could let me know who I am responding to.

      Thanks. Morne Botes

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      • Chris Johnson says:

        Mr Bates surely you note that less than 5 % of the bloggers mention their names. It will not happen.

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    • Anonymous says:

      9:52, on this particular road it is understood that some beach pathways you are describing as ‘private’ had gained ‘public by prescription’ status – uninterrupted public use by residents over a long, long, long time and needing only the blessing of a court to officially confirm official public status. Most of those access points have now locked by their owners and it is these ones that are apparently to be targeted by govt for reopening.

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      • Anonymous says:

        By this logic everything is public access. How does anyone “prove” that they’ve been walking down a particular path to a particular beach since way back when? A sworn affidavit? Who would challenge it? If I swear that my grandparents used to walk through what is now your front garden prior to your house being built can we establish a public right of way?

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      • Chris Johnson says:

        Several condo owners have taken away the Beach Access signs whilst others have blocked them off to keep garbage recepticals. Government should most certainly rectify this.

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        • Anonymous says:

          yes, many of these signs have disappeared or been hidden or left residing face down on the floor by not just condo owners but hotel developers, wall builders, road re-routers! let them build all they want, we can sit wherever we want to…

        • PD says:

          Gee Mr. Johnson where is the public access by your big house on the beach?

          • Chris Johnson says:

            Actually it is right next door at Discovery Point who have chosen to take down the sign. Thank you for your comment.

          • Hancock says:

            You need read the law my friend.Only developments on the beach that exceed 200 feet frontage need provide access. That is why there is no access at Mr Johnson’s property, the Palms and the adjoining condominium.

            A little knowledge is dangerous learning. Try visiting the library.

    • Morne Botes says:

      Yes, I am the developer of Boggy Sands and I previously owned Windsong and still hold the mortgage on a unit there.
      I have never made it a secret that I am a developer or who I am. I always leave my name to any comment I leave.

      Yes, Boggy Sands Beach Club and Windsong share a private beach access over parcel 5C222.

      This access has always been open to the public and should be public by prescriptive law but the Beach House owner has chose to erect gates and block the public from using it.
      Myself and the Buyers of my condos have keys to these gates.
      But as I have stated many times I believe everyone should be able to access the beach, not just buyers of my condos.

      BUT, this is not the main access problem on Boggy Sand Road. The main problem is that there is a Public Access from Westbay Road that runs all the way over my land to Boggy Sand RD. It was designated a public access since 1974. The access which aligns with it from Boggy rd to the Beach is now also gated and locked up.

      All these accesses was open to the public prior to me starting construction. Then all the beach house owners erected gates to block the public from enjoying the beach. I was contacted and blamed for these closures by people.
      Then I familiarised myself with the laws and realised that things had to change.
      Yes, we have the old prescriptive english law but the Government had no powers to enforce it. It was up to an individual to take these beach house owners to court to instate the prescriptive law. This is obviously very costly.
      NOW a new law has been put in place which makes it possible for an individual to complain to Government when his access is being denied. The Government then takes the beach house owner to court and enforce the law.

      The reason my campaign started in Boggy Sand Road is because this is an area I am familiar with. After the first press coverage I heard about more accesses and problems and things grew from there.
      Then Save The Cove happen and I met more liked minded people like the Concerned Citizens group which had lots of helpful information etc.
      All this accumulated into my BEACH ACCESS FOR ALL campaign which aligned with a passion I had since moving here to have a wheelchair accessible beach for all to enjoy.

      Yes, I am a developer, but this does not define me, I am a passionate man and have been able to make changes to what I see as wrongs and I will keep pushing forward with causes that I believe it. I did not choose to fight this fight it just happened.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Bit confusing, do you mean to say as you wrote that the big problem is that there exists public ROW over your land from WBRd to Boggy Sand Rd…or do you mean to say the problem is that the access doesn’t continue ACROSS Boggy Sand Rd and thru the now locked pathway to the beach?
        Also it is clear in Cayman law, if a Private ROW has been left in a PUBLIC state (i.e. never, ever locked) for the determined amount of time, the owner loses rights to privacy over that access…however of course, if it has been marked as private or occasionally operated in private fashion (e.g. shared ONLY for a group of specific users), then no law of prescription applies….and i dare say that’s the issue you’ve got opposite your development access….

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      • Anonymous says:

        There are many wrongs in South Africa which would benefit from your “passion” .

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      • Anonymous says:

        XXXXXX

        I commend your willingness to put your name to your comments (only fair given that you’re responding directly to a story in which you’re being directly quoted). The fact that I choose to remain anonymous on a public forum is normal (welcome to the internet), does nothing to lessen the point I’m making and in a place as small as the Cayman Islands, bordering on essential.

        Whilst the level of debate gets pretty low in these comments sections pretty often at least the veil of anonymity allows people to speak up about things that concern them. I didn’t see many of the 1,000 people waiting on PR publicly commenting on the other big media outlets on island which insist on naming those leaving comments. In my mind that stifles debate and introduces an unfair level of bias where only a handful of people ever leave comments and come from a section of our hugely diverse community where the repercussions for offering opinion are minimal. I’ll take the anonymity thank you.

        For what it’s worth, you and I are on the same page with regards to beach access for all. My suggestion, for what it’s worth, would be to attach additional signage to the existing brown “Beach Access” signs which state clearly that the beaches are publicly accessible and for all to use. Maybe two or three bullet points about respectful behaviour, not using private beach furniture and a proper clarification of where you can and cant go on the beach. I’m still unclear as to whether it’s below the high water mark, below the vegetation line, below the roped off section that the residents have established or some other extent. It wouldn’t be difficult to do. I could have it setup myself by this weekend. But then I could have changed the speed signs on West Bay Road from 40 to 25 in under a week too so don’t hold your breath.

        CNS: We allow anonymous comments for all the reasons you state, but when someone does put their own name to comments, those responding cannot attack them personally. As to the questions about the high water mark, that’s a good question to send to Auntie on CNS Local Life.

      • PD says:

        It really is a shame but this really is about the developer and the beach house owner having difficulties. This developer has been using the beach house owners patio area in some of his earlier Facebook posts and after many abuses to that owners property the gates – which were always there – were secured better. Then there was vandalism to the gates and the access. Now there is the normal political rhetoric going on but the bottom line is that this is between these two parties. They should settle it but to get all this hatred stirred up is really ridiculous. Tear down the gates – don’t you realize that is a criminal act to destroy private property? You have a problem with it then take it to court and have the legal system settle it but quit drumming up all this hatred and trying to make your cause out as some saintly mission.

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  7. East End Resident says:

    I’m a bit confused by some of the comments here that all beaches in Cayman are open to the public and everyone has a right to enjoy them. “There are no private beaches in Cayman.” Is that truly the case? I have a piece of beachfront land and the survey plans and land registry clearly show that my property ownership extends down to the high water line. There is no easement showing on my plans that I have to allow public access. I own that beach privately. It’s effectively my garden. I wouldn’t expect people I don’t know to turn up on my land, put out chairs and light up a BBQ in my garden just because it is sandy and fronts onto water.
    Can someone who knows rather than just rants, please clarify this?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Oh dear, all the thumbs down. Is that because you are jealous and don’t own your own private beach? There are plenty for sale. Go out and buy one.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Then you should sue the people you bought from..many countries have laws guaranteeing beach access to all…the thumbs down are not jealousy, they are because you disrespect the law and other peoples rights. In short you are an a$$hole. But your should know that from your condescending comment…if you cant see that, get help.

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    • Anonymous says:

      6′ above the High Water Mark is public access. It used to be to the vegetation line but got reduced in the 80’s I believe.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I suggest you find out where the “high water mark” really is. When I attended school my geography teacher told us that it was the highest point reached by storm waves. Anyway between this mark and the ocean is public. Everywhere.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The beach is yours. You own it. Your use of it is however not exclusive to you. The public is entitled to use and enjoy it.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Lets all get with Mr Bush & Mr Botes and tear the gates and fences down!!!! That is our beach on Boggy Sound Road. The problem is this Windsong path and the man putting up the gates and keeping us from our beach. Shame on you!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Actually it is the case, you do indeed own your own private beach but all that entitles you to in reality is to personally task yourself with it’s upkeep! You can put your own chairs on it, etc…but legally you cannot stop anyone else from accessing it via a public route (e.g. taking a walk along the coast)…it’s the big hidden secret in real estate in cayman….they keep selling all these private condo developments and building fancy hotels with private beaches…, but infact as long as nobody trespasses to gain access, then anybody can use your ‘private’ beach….they just cannot use your property that you’ve got on it (e.g. a lounge chair that you bought)…..the flip side is, very few people really do try to take advantage of it because we live in a fairly decent society…..but thats being hammered away inch by inch recently with each sq ft of concrete

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Who are the “right people” to work on this issue?

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  9. Grace says:

    I say Bless Mr Botes too! since it looks like he can bring the attention that is needed to this most sorrowful plight; and might get us beach access in Boggy Sands again, I have talked from 2015 at least, to various Govt Departs and MLAs but nothing happened. Keep up the good works Mr Botes!

    Grew up on Boggy Sands so I truly feel locked out of of my beach.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Lets rip out those fences and gates and take back our country – Mr. Botes should be a special representative as he cares for the people!

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  10. Sinbad says:

    Too late

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  11. Anonymous says:

    The Mighty Gabby said it best..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTbGkop7mss

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  12. Anonymous says:

    There are plenty of beaches and access. This is just a distraction from your serious problems.

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    • West bay Premier says:

      Can we imagine if 15 indigent people went and took those gates down , and then they would have to arrest all 15 . Then they can demand that they have individual Legal Aide Attorney.
      That would be very expensive to pursue .

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      • Anonymous says:

        If those 15 people actually had a legal right to access, for what do you suppose they would be arrested exactly?

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      • Anonymous says:

        There are NO indigent people here. There is only I was here first and everyone else was not. But I know you meant 15 ignorant people because that’s the only kind of people that would happily break any laws to make sure some else is not.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Maybe if somehow Customs is advised that the blockages may vibrate and couples may use them as “marital aides” we will then see quick action?

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  14. Unison says:

    HOGGISH AND NO RESPECT !

    Having these very narrow access trails to the beach with no space whatsoever for parking!  Can’t even park alongside the main road without endangering your own life!  What ever happened to respect for the elderly, the disable, and small children!

    It amazes me that the previous government administrations or the planning department couldn’t see these things coming before allowing these hotels along our shores. ?

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  15. Anonymous says:

    Doesn’t sound like a campaign is needed. Politicians get off your asses, get the public works out there to tear down or clear the path and police advise the homeowners they will be heavily fined per day if they obsctuct the path again.

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  16. West bay Premier says:

    I guess that someone needs to show the a joining property owners and Mr Bush and Ms Rivers what public access means . Tear them gates down .

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    • Anonymous says:

      Now that dart owns most of the beach locals frequented it will be interesting to see if we are restricted.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Dart has a big banner at beach suites saying everyone welcome. He’s reserved one beach bar for locals but I imagine we aren’t welcome at the other beach bars he owns.

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        • Anonymous says:

          I have actually been to Tiki Beach, Royal Palms and Cocolobba recently, can’t say I felt unwelcome. This Sunday, as always, I will pull my boat up to Starfish Point and enjoy the beach there. Thanks Mr. Dart!

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        • Anonymous says:

          Hemingways has a sign, not Dart, and you see many Caymanians there at the weekend so get over yourself. Idiot.

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      • Anonymous says:

        He can afford guards to shoo away the unwashed hordes. Try his beach
        At the Kimpton.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    the beach is more under threat from rising sea levels……
    how come you never hear this discussed by mlas or on the dismally bad talk-in radio shows????
    miami is aware of the issue and could be gone in 30 years if action is not taken…..

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    • Anonymous says:

      And don’t forget about the world running out of food (1960s), or oil (1970s), or killer bees migrating north (1980s), or the ozone layer disappearing (1990s), or Y2K or …….
      No chicken little the sky is not falling.

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      • Anonymous says:

        yeah….. ignore science and follow your orange leader to the north……
        i’ll stick with 99% of scientific research….

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        • Anonymous says:

          Ironic to your coment, its science that calls into question all of the chicken little apocalyptic prophesies that have come to pass..err not pass. According to Al Gore we were already supposed to be underwater.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    yawn…. beach access is already protected by current planning laws….
    this is just populist nonsense….
    smith cove was not saved and was never under threat… private land to the north of smith cove was bought by government for some unknown reason…

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  19. unknown says:

    Any House, Condo, or hotels should have a path between them all to allow access to the beaches. They own the land but not the beach and they need to be reminded of this there are no private beaches here in the Cayman Islands if you don’t like it then leave!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      They actually do own the beach all the way down to the high water mark.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Try telling all the owners of the condos and private land they now own, Caymanian and expat alike that they must now give up some land, break down any walls and open up access across the property. There are actual laws about where beach access is, how it got to be there, and just what that means. Look them up instead of make them up.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Yes Mr. Botes thank you for getting on to that Boggy Sound Road one who put up gates. You and Mr. Bush can tear down those gates!!!!!

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Let’s go and tear down the gates. If they are on Public land access points let get er done.

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  22. Diogenes says:

    Great idea, and a good cause, but execution and practices are what separates the theoretical good ideas from actual good ideas. The way you present your campaign is just as important as the way you execute it. Ensure that the persons infringing the rights of the public understand the issue instead of attacking them outright. Come to an amicable agreement if possible or if needed get the related government authorities involved (not talking about police in this instance). Try to ensure that the persons or groups involved understand that the laws ensure certain rights to the public on access to the beaches and that they should take precautions to ensure that they are not alienated by beach-goers, (clearly marking their properties and closing off the areas that aren’t part of the beach for their own privacy etc etc)

    Just please don’t turn this into something similar to that god-awful “Cayman’s worst parking page”, almost as bad as “IAC!WAMR?” and “CMR” The last thing we need is more Marl Road “news”, civilian vigilante reporting out of anger, and nationalistic sentiments being spread.

    Diogenes

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    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry I disagree – I am sure that in most instances the Beach access signs existed before adjacent properties were developed or redeveloped. The real problem is that we have many laws with absolutely no teeth and many politicians and civil servants who cannot be bothered to enforce the laws. In other countries nobody bothers to find out if someone understood the law – it is your responsibility to make sure you understand or otherwise you will feel the consequences.

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      • Diogenes says:

        Didn’t realize I was disputing whether the signs were there or not in relation to the properties being built or redeveloped. What I said was that the occupants of the homes (along with the land owners, if that wasn’t clear) need to work together to ensure that everyone has a positive outcome. What are you going to do? Throw them in jail? Fine them and take them to court and then get court orders (which would take months to resolve along with being unnecessarily messy) ? Why not make the effort to ensure that everyone has access to the beaches and that everyone has enough space to maneuver in and out and that the residents of the homes still have their privacy and safety and are happy.

        Would you enjoy having countless strangers walking directly up to, alongside and around your properties sometimes basically on or through them? I for one would not, that is why my property is fenced in on all sides, no one can mistakenly stumble into my yard and claim ignorance. Is that the answer to the issue maybe it could be something a simple as that but probably not. While these people (occupants and landowners) are infringing on others rights the answer is not simply to throw the book at them and start a territorial feud, there must be a diplomatic way to ensure that the situation is resolved and that everyone is happy and that this won’t be an issue in future with (different residents or landowners). Is it really too much to ask that attempts are made, this is not something that requires the creation of more bad blood between the residents of this tiny island. Sometimes the correct answer isn’t always the easiest but it doesn’t mean that an attempt shouldn’t be made, of course if the attempts to be diplomatic fail, then send in the correct persons to forcibly effect the changes, because at that point you have the legal (and the moral) “high ground”.

        Diogenes

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    • Anonymous says:

      ‘Excessive amount of development” .. except for his own that is.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Maybe we should block their driveways and see how they like that

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    • Miami David says:

      So English, Americans, Canadians and others purchased property. The Government has a cadastral survey map. The maps should show the access points. Have them take the surveyors over by the areas and open back up the public accesses. This is not rocket science.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    Bless you Mr. Botes. Just as we secured Smith’s Cove, and before that the blowholes area in East End we will do it again. These condo owners need to understand we have to have beach access as well as being able to walk the beach. They need to understand that the beach is still ours.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    No forethought! This is the way Caymanians do things. Planning plannnng planning!!! You sold it now it’s gone!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      “”This is Grand Cayman. They make a deal and then they want to redo the deal. That’s their deal. Will Government now back them up and take away land from everyone who lives on the beaches to make them happy? They won’t say no that’s for sure.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    It is quite common in he UK for a public footpath to be on private land, the land owner cannot block access. I think the same would apply here.

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  27. Anonymous says:

    Dart isn’t going to like this.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You have to remember that CIG will find a work around for Dart. They always cave in . Do not forget Dart has the final word not our elected government.

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    • unknown says:

      So what he doesn’t own the beaches!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      He changes public access as he deems necessary, Remember the right of ways on the now non-existent West Bay Rd.

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      • Anonymous says:

        And we passive idiots boiling away in the pot of our own demise allowed it. Then we elected the same idiots who sold us out. When foreigners call us stupid, they have a point.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, terrible thing he did, traffic was backed up from the turtle farm to the port every day of the week and all day long during tourist season. Now traffic flows at double the rate and though the entrance has changed location, you still have access to the public beach except now there’s actually a proper parking lot as well..
        Horrific.

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