Development encroaching on home of the blues
(CNS): Plans to create a subdivision of six plots for family-sized homes on a parcel of untouched primary forest habitat off the Queen’s Highway would encroach on the home of the Cayman Islands’ iconic, endangered blue iguana. As the relentless development continues in Grand Cayman, it increasingly threatens the more remote areas of East End and North Side, where the last remnants of primary untouched forest and much of the island’s remaining endemic species survive.
If this particular project is given planning permission, the National Trust, which owns the neighbouring Salina Reserve, is asking that the developer moves a proposed road from the reserve’s border and leaves a natural buffer of at least 50 feet along the edge of the property to protect the iguanas and other species.
According to the Central Planning Authority agenda for Wednesday, the applicant for the sub-division on the 13-acre site (parcel 61A 34), Roland Bodden and Company, has agreed to the buffer to protect the reserve.
But the proposed project illustrates the desperate need for an updated development plan as well as new planning laws to protect the increasing risk to the country’s most sensitive and unique habitats.
The parcel under consideration for development contains similar habitat to the Salina Reserve. The 646-acre reserve itself contains a variety of habitats that are increasingly hard to find across the islands, including primary forest, buttonwood wetlands, shrublands and a sedge wetland.
It is also one of only two areas where the National Trust releases blue iguanas, which have been successfully bred in captivity as part of its programme to bring this species back from the edge of extinction. The area is home to some of the first hatchlings from bred blue iguanas to be born in the wild.
The reserve and some of the surrounding land in this area is home to the Agalinis kingsii, a species of false foxglove that is unique to Grand Cayman. It is only known to occur on one other privately-owned parcel of land in Frank Sound, illustrating how close Cayman is to losing some of its rarest flowers as a result of development.
Three different types of bats live in caves on a forested ridge in the reserve, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat, the Jamaican fruit-eating bat and the big-eared bat. Grand Cayman parrots and white-crowned pigeons nest in the old-growth dry forest all around the area, where many rare hardwood trees still flourish.
The Trust is asking the developer to ensure that any future plans for the homes that are likely to be built there retain as much natural diversity as possible, and while it commended the landowner for limiting the subdivision to one house per parcel, it asked that only the buildings’ footprints are cleared.
“Research shows that developing sites with a natural, forested design benefits property values,” the Trust said in its letter to the CPA. “Studies indicate that the presence of larger trees can add from 3% to 15% to home values, while homes that are adjacent to naturalistic parks and open spaces are valued at 8-20% higher than comparable properties elsewhere.”
The Trust said this could limit the negative consequences of development on its protected land, as it noted the challenges of retaining Cayman’s dwindling wilderness for the next generation to enjoy.
In its comments about the proposed sub-divisions, the Department of Environment also noted that this site is “particularly ecologically important” and agreed with the idea of a buffer as a way of mitigating the potential impact of development on the reserve.
The DoE also recommended the proposed road not be constructed or the site cleared until any actual building is imminent and that any future clearing, filling or development of the parcels be the subject of a separate consultation with the National Conservation Council.
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Category: development, Land Habitat, Local News, Science & Nature
I honestly believe that when it comes to conservation and protecting the environment the Cayman Islands are lagging way behind. I do not know what it will take to wake some of our people up to the dangers of bulldozing down everything. Why do they always choose the most environmentally sensitive areas to rip up and destroy? What has happened to all the bluster Wayne and his PACK were spouting out on the campaign trail? Have they already lost the plot? How many Caymanians will be able to afford a house in that area anyway? Ignorance and greed will be our undoing! These little 2×4 Islands can only accommodate a definite number and last time I checked the islands are not growing more acreage.
I think you mean finite.
Hey, what’s the big deal if the survival and existence of the indigenous blue iguana is threatened? The same is happening to the existence and survival of indigenous Caymanian flora and, indeed, generational Caymanian humans. There’s no need to preserve any vestiges of traditional Caymanian assets or values! Let’s just continue to erase any trace of “nativism” and replace it all with imported people, trends, vehicles and tons of concrete and asphalt to accommodate them! That’s the way, Cayman!
PS, I’ve noticed that sarcasm, irony, cynicism and satire are not readily recognized here, so let’s see just how many misinterpret my comment.
Frankly all the development need to be slowed down and land preservered for the Caymanian people. What about our children? I am not against protecting the iguanas but what about protecting the Caymanian people. I don’t hear very many people talking about that these days. Not even the Government is saying or doing anything about that. Everything is all about the almighty dollar as far as they are concerned. Caymanians can’t even get jobs with a decent pay or get jobs period because they are too concerned with going along with the businesses in making more money for themselves.
Caymanians complaining that everyone is doing what they have been doing for decades with the expected results.
Does the premier recognize if everything is paved and poured this would add to the global warming effect? Let me guess, grab the dollar today and let the next generation suffer.
Oh please! This Premier and his minions that all of you elected criticized the previous government(s) and promised with hands on ♥️ that they would do things different but they are turning out to be deeper in the muck. They have no interest in doing anything beneficial to the environment it seems. But then again why should we expect anything better from mostly below average. Hopefully one day before it is too late the majority of inhabitants will realise that chasing shiny objects is an exercise in futility. Then again, I guess that is wishful thinking.
No one on the CPA board should have conflicting interests. The corruption is blatantly obvious and frankly mind-blowing. It needs a complete overhaul or this destruction will continue.
what is the difference between dense vegetation/trees and ‘untouched primary forest habitat’?
asking for a little green firend.
As I understand it, ‘primary forest habitat’ has never been disturbed, whereas the other terms applied can occur after areas have been cleared or otherwise changed. Bush grows back fast.
The east end is full of subdivisions of mostly empty lots, that have been that way for years. Why approve another one?
Absolutely clear there is no market for homes in the east, otherwise developers would be climbing over each other to build on the established subdivisions.
Didn’t the PACT just say how much they are doing for protecting the environment………..
PACT of Lies!!
After all the years of Fred Burton’s work with his team to restore the Blue Iguanas – work that was recognized worldwide, this is a slap in the face followed by a swift kick in the cojones. Good old Cayman – yet again the mighty $ rules.
There clearly is no one in a position to prevent this sort of appalling development.
No one listens to DoE! CPA is going to approve almost anything for the fees! The more things change, the more they stay the same!!
Of course, it’s development
Blue does not matter. It is not the color of money. All that matters is money. That, my friends, is the sad fact of Cayman 2022.
Where was the trust when 10 acres of land was mauled to make room for low income housing? Couple silver thatch not bulldozed. Big up environmental government…not. smh
The National Trust was not an adjoining land owner in that case.
Is this now the proverbial “line in the sand” to finally wake everyone up? The ONLY place on Earth where these magnificent creatures live is here.
Will we forsake our native endangered native species for more investment homes?
It’s high time that these rampant developments are seriously addressed. Protect our Blues!
Dollar good….iguana bad. Cayman will be responsible for the next creature to suffer extinction. But hey, the developer can order a new F150 and a large whisky next time.
Frankly, i very much doubt this or anything else would ever prevent the CPA from granting permission. They only have one rubber stamp and plenty of ‘friends’