Mangroves sacrificed for builders’ supply yard
(CNS): The Central Planning Authority has granted a controversial application that will see the remaining mangroves on a parcel of land along the South Sound coastline removed for a commercial builders’ supply store. Even though the Department of Environment is urging the CPA not to sacrifice the mangroves for a project that would be far better suited to another location already man-modified, the CPA gave the developers the green light as members found the application had been revised from a construction compound to a supplier.
According to the minutes from the meeting held on 30 March, the CPA found that the application by K&B Ltd (TAG Ltd) on Block 23C Parcel 233, which had originated as a plan for an industrial site for storing materials from other developments, was different enough to earn approval.
But while the words used to describe the proposed activity at the site changed from storage to retail, the plans have not changed at all. Nevertheless, the CPA was satisfied that this was a new application for a different development.
“Based on the confirmed use of the site, the Authority is satisfied that per Section 3.02(b) of the Development Plan 1997 and Regulation 13(1)(b) of the Development and Planning Regulations (2021 Revision), the development will be a less intense use than would be found in the General Commercial zone; the development will service the needs of the community; and the development will cater principally for the needs of persons resident in the area,” the minutes state.
The developer, Bavan Antonysraj, and his agent, Darrel Ebanks, told the board that they intend to sell commercial building supplies from the site to other developers in the area rather than just storing things. This essentially changed the application from an industrial project to a commercial one.
The application first came before the CPA in July 2021 but was refused because a construction compound was considered industrial and the area is zoned Neighbourhood Commercial.
The developers and the land had already come to the attention of the planning department 18 months before that, in January 2020, when the department issued stop notices to the landowners after an area of mangroves inside the parcel was cleared without planning permission. Three months later, an application for after-the-fact land clearing, a 5’ fence and two 32sqft signs was approved.
It is now likely that the 2.5-acre site, which sits on a marine reserve, will be completely cleared of mangroves, which the DoE had clearly stated were “an extremely important buffer for Hurley Merren Boulevard from the sea”.
Speaking on behalf of the National Conservation Council, the DoE experts pointed out that there “are ample man-modified sites that could be used for the storage of materials without removing mangroves or other primary habitat”, and advised the CPA to refuse the application.
While the project has since been repackaged as a builders’ supply yard, it is evident that construction material will still be housed there since the developers have described a largely outdoor site where they will be selling lumber and rebar wholesale to the construction sector, among other related materials and equipment.
They also confirmed that the original plans had not changed, despite insisting that this was a “totally different application”.
During the meeting members of the CPA criticised the DoE for not supplying new comments on the revised project. However, as the plans have not materially changed, the impact on the mangroves remains the same. They will still be cleared in order to make way for a warehouse unit where construction materials will be stored for sale and parking for customers.
See the CPA minutes, with details of the application and outcome, in the CNS Library.
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Category: development, Local News
Most of the comments of the people on this post are non-sensical. This is PRIVATE land purchased for use. It wasnt purchased for preservation; otherwise, they government or a donor should have purchased.
Idiots.
You are absolutely ignorant to the impact of the environment this stupid project will cost us! You cannot be a local or a generational caymanian! Until you are a voter in the Cayman Islands 🇦🇨 you have no right to tell us the people we have no right to comment!
No – they are JUST IGNORANT – plain and simple.
Private land ownership or not, this land was zoned Neighbourhood Commercial (think: McRuss) not Light Industrial (as is the project that will now be built there).
On a positive note all them illegal dumpers will have to find somewhere else to dump there trash now. So rodents levels should decrease in that area.
PS… I am not about destroying I am a preserver but in all truth WE CANNOT PRESERVE EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY PIECE OF MANGROVE. Can We?????
More of the same old thing that will never change here. Complain about it then move on to the next thing. Do the same thing over and over with no changes. Caymanian progress.
Another PACT promise out the window…….
If only we could have the equivalent of another Hurricane Ivan without loss of life – government and the developers would then see how much more devastation would now occur. Cayman seems incapable of recognizing the damage it is doing to itself. Same way fisherman will not abide by the Marine Park Laws until they have no choice – because there are no longer any fish, lobsters, conch ETC. Pointless talking to them now, just let them destroy everything – at least if the island ends up as a desert you can say – “ told you so “
That’s a real shame, Darrel. I guess success and greed got to you too. Unfortunately for me, I’ll have to cancel my planned design consider with your company, Tropical Architectural Group (TAG) as I cannot support this obvious circumventing of duty to one’s country and what remains of its natural lands and surrounding mangroves. This isn’t the Philippines, they have much more land to lose, we don’t. Respectively bowing out from future TAG support.
Wayne will come back with some new catchy sustainability buzz words and you all will be singing his praises once more. I can’t even bear to watch this joke play out any more. Trust me bloods! I am so embarrassed by our people. No backbone and sold out to the highest bidder!
I wonder if you will be invited aboard his Hatteras when the island is underwater
Mr. Premier, planting one tree in front of the Government Administration Building is part of your sustainability climate plan whilst your government boards are clearing acreage of mangroves? You and your government should be ashamed of yourselves by creating a facade that you are helping to secure a future for the next generations. How can CPA decline for a storage of construction materials and then approve it for a retail center. Pure BS! This could never happened anywhere else in the world. I am very disappointed in this government. They promised so much change but it’s pretty much the same.
Take a look at that foto again- it isn’t a tree, but a long stick with few leaves. In fact for that “tree” to survive more resources must be used- stakes and ties etc.
It took 14 of them to plant that stick for a photo op.
I would like the CPA to know that they won’t be instructing me about clearing land
or preserving trees. It is my property and I’ll do as I please with it. They give the green light for acres to be cleared yet they want to dictate to the indigenous Caymanians. What group of idiots. Destroying the mangroves for an expats fortune.
and don’t forget the sweetheart deals for certain peoples companies!
The problem is manipulation: by business/developers by incompetent staff or who are afraid to say no to the dumb dumb board members and well if you place a carpenter in a machine shop for cars snd expect him to produce lumber based on his skills well you see what I’m getting at.
Replacing the Board is one thing, heading the department must also come with the cojones to tell the minister and the Board tgst what is being proposed cannot happen etc etc.
Put Done strong arms in charge of the department who will not bend like the Board at every dollar that is teasingly dropped for them to see. I’m not saying anyone is corrupt but Lordy Lordy your actions board members are stinking quite a lot I guess your noses are dollar stuffed huh!
Utter fools.
The only upside to this is that fly tippers won’t be using that area as often to dispose of garbage, mattresses, concrete, and other crap.
On the downside, it’s another win for stupidity and greed.
What happens when the next major hurricane arrives, with NO Mangroves as a Buffer ?
It will be just like the current mess seven Mille beach is in….SMH. More flooding to come, more insurance claims for residents in the area and insurance increases for all.
Pure stupidity on the CPA.
There’s developers on the CPA so what do we expect!
There is a buffer still there you can clearly see in the picture. Our is there plans to move it like how Dart has done freely all over this island dug up dug up and continue to dig up or like how Imparato dug up the ironshore in North Side and got charged $1000 or lets don’t forget the Burkes in the shores.. Maybe the true picture is he is a born CAYMANIAN……
$$$$ seems to be driving decisions nowadays…zzzzzz..wake me up next april fool day!!!!
Just doesn’t make sense…prospect is fully developed. AL Thompson (Savannah) and Cox ( Bodden Town) now serve the eastern districts.
Exactly and in town as well and no more building supply businesses should be granted permission to sell materials. We have enough
“Resilience’ my A$$…Mr. Premier…you should be ashamed of yourself and your government. An (ex)-PACT supporter.
#askJay
Ask Wayne! He is who put that young man in such a loaded ministerial position! All while knowing that his educational level and experience are wanting. No one should be so hungry for power. So, yeah, #askWayne.
You are correct. When Wayne was a minister last time he would admit there was nothing he could do because of the instructions from up top.
Oh, wait
I hope that all of us PACT supporters will have the sense to take off the blinders become ex supporters! We can all see that this gang are no better than those they criticized. Hypocrites. I’m done.
Please please let’s leave the mangroves PERIOD.I have lived in the Caribbean pretty much all my life and even at a young age the importance of mangroves re protection of coastlines is well known.Pure greed is rampant in these islands and those that get rich can easily move to another island with the blood money they accumulated.Another factor many are forgetting and that is mangroves not only provide for many marine animals and birds but they also provide much of our local rainfall through convection.I can bet if we look back over the years of mangrove destruction you will find a definate link to less rainfall over that same time period.Hopefully it’s not to late to save what we have left but D.O.E.are doing their darndest to open the eyes of the idiots hell bent on making the almighty $$.
It is so, Mr Milburn. Born and grew up here. I can remember rainfall and floods, and cooler temperatures at least during our winter months when I went to school in the 70s and 80s then went into climatology after my tertiary education and have been noticing, recording and saddened by the overdevelopment, lost of Wildlife, habitats and change in climate here. Sadly it is too late.
Goes well with “ten solutions”. Sarcasm
Those who aspire to political and economic power over others measure success as being the last ones to drown in a sinking (island, country, planet, etc.).
I thought mangroves are protected under the national conservation law?
CNS NOTE: This is a good point and comes up a lot they are only protected when there is no planning permission or if they part of an officially protected area. See this story on CNS where the DoE director explains the limitations of the NCL.
It’s the Turk again! Check his ongoing project in South Sound and the next phase coming alongside it – 7 storeys!
#askAlden
Yeah, ask Alden.
@ 20/04/2022 at 2:08 pm – it’s not the Turk. He has got projects in the pipeline in that area but this isn’t it. I really felt quite optimistic casting my vote for Wayne and when new CPA members were appointed but all that hope & optimism has disappeared down the drain. This bunch are even bigger sell outs.
The government need to do away with the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency.
Yeah because it’s a damn joke a waste of money. We hoped for better but this ministry is a waste.
No restrictions on how construction vehicles are to access Old Prospect Road. No notice to neighbours about retail shop or licence having been obtained. The road in this area is not designed to take heavy vehicular traffic and it runs past a school and youth centre. No comments from the NRA were provided on the application – will they be held accountable or could they appeal? Interesting how the Minutes reflect the ‘developer’ to be totally clueless about the project and saying he was told just to turn up to the meeting. Who is he fronting and which board members benefit from this setup? Who has jurisdiction to actually investigate this NOW!
It’s been going on for years. Our government is not known for honesty.
Certainly not MacKeeva and Alden, and now “Lil” Wayne Panton.
I have recommended that it be MANDATORY for every mangrove, or tree for that matter, be replaced with the planting of another; or money be given to support the planting of.
This should be the case for developers or ANY home that is build where mangroves once grew. Doesn’t matter of it was fifty years ago that the house was built. Even if the house has since been sold (because the purchaser is only perpetuating the market in that area) the new owner should have to contribute the same way.
Same applies to Government itself. Any removal of trees must be offset by the planting of or the contribution towards planting.
If we are going to actually get serious about saving mangroves/trees on this island, I believe that’s a good place to start.
Will planting trees on our islands reverse climate change?, most definitely not. But I sure feel better with the idea of having our coastline buffered with trees rather than walls.
If this is the site off Old Prospect Road where Durty Reids used to be, it looks like a dumpsite now, with garbage everywhere. That is an old picture.
Picture from 2020.
Total B/S. The kids from Montessori featured here finding mangrove saplings just last week: https://youtu.be/lVVC3W4nNHk
Exactly who is Darrel Ebanks and what are his qualifications for obtaining planning permission from the CPA on behalf of his principal?.
Darrel is a draftsman , and was a member of the Planning board for many years.
Mr. Ebanks is an architect. Good guy.
Not a good guy when he is aiding in the destruction of our islands
He owns Tropical Architectural Group (TAG) but why does that part of this matter at all?
out sources to third-world draftsmen and importer of third-world labour. All a front!!
Darrel is not helping Cayman. He doin alright for himself tho.
He is a honest hard working Caymanian. If he is doing well… no one gave it to him. He worked hard for it.
He is an example. We should be proud of him.
Proud of him? Are you daft…whether he worked his way from the ground up, he is willing to destroy our islands for the almighty dollar. I hope s hurricane tears through and wrecks all of these places (without loss of life). Maybe then these selfish bastards and out numb nut government will wake up!
Just like Sammy Jackson, another failed savior, thank God he wasn’t elected he represents Michael Ryan’s development
The problem is, our true “leaders” are not democratically elected.
Our elected government simply follow the orders of the actual deci$ion-making “leaders”.
Therefore, democracy is not the answer to the Cayman problem.
– Whodatis
You are right, Whodatis, and honesty and integrity are out of the question.
100%. A few wealthy families running things in the background. You could put anyone on that podium and they’ll do exactly what they’re told.
same sh*t, different day. As long as there are apparently no penalties for breaking environmental law, people will continue to destroy mangroves, pour concrete on the shoreline, build seawalls, etc etc. and just get approval afterwards, when its too late to stop it, so its approval or penalty…. this “first world” nation is really a banana republic in disguise, and it’s not about the current administration, it happens over and over again regardless of who in in office.
Remember the Golden Rule: Gold Rules!
Best comment!
Investigate members of the board. Start with those who are subject too or have been subject to criminal offenses and those with conflicts and publish them. Is MP Jay Ebanks not accountable for Board decisions?
George…do us all a favor and shut up. This has nothing to do with Ezzard. Why even bring him up? Jay is who won so it is him that is to be held accountable.
Stop, no more Hotels/Condo etc,no more people on this little Rock, enough are enough now.
Too many people, especially non-Caymanians.
Wayne was over at an environmental conference right? Obviously wasn’t fussed for what he heard.
Mark my words, this island is going to be absolutely annihilated with the next huge storm. The rate at which we’ve removed our natural buffer is quite scary. A low lying island with nothing to stop a massive wave. Well done CIG.
How did your “natural buffer “ protect you during Ivan ?
In the next hurricane, Would you feel safer in a bunch of Mangroves , or a few floors up in a building. ?
You go and clean ya self you are unclean and not needed here.
Thank you 6.03 , I am dazzled by your repartee.
You gonna live up there forever when everything else has been washed away. Clown
We can only hope and pray for a big one
the development will service the needs of the community — they intend to sell commercial building supplies!!!!!
The needs of the community?? Or the needs of you hungry greedy ass care only about yourselves investors???
The neighbourhood needs a coffee shop and a place to buy bread. That’s about it. Neighbourhood does not need rebar depot!
What can a building supply store do for beautiful, tranquil South Sound.
I don’t really comprehend the logic behind such CPA approvals…..unless it is as insinuated in many instances…..the kickback is too great a deal to resist.
The approval process should be like the jury system. “A verdict needs to be unanimous…..but then again, perhaps too many YES men is the problem?
Sick and Tired
South Sound is going to face the same fate the Seven Mile Corridor has with much narrower roadways. A massive escalation in development and traffic issues.
And dont worry, east enders, once proper carriageways are built, your peaceful area will face the same fate.
Look at what happened to Easter Island. It use to be a heavily forested island. Now it is completely DeForested and uninhabitable.
All hail the great environmentalist Premier Wayne Panton. What a joke.
#askJay
Does this guy even live in the Cayman Islands?
processes followed and all laws complied with.
next anti-develoment story please…..zzzzzzzzz
Except for a complete miss on interpreting the meaning of Neighbourhood commercial!
Anyone remember the film ‘The Lorax’? Where they cut down all the trees until there were none left. The same thing is happening here but with our mangroves! I pray not to see the state of these islands in 50 years.
You won’t unless you dive or snorkel.
The ruins of Grand Cayman does sound like a great dive trip.
This CPA board are as bad as the last; worse in fact.
What a damn disgrace.
Where is the plan in planning?
What sort of planning razes the irreplaceable natural resources and defences of the island for a pile of concrete and lumber?
Choose your leaders with wisdom & forethought:
– To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all the coward fears;
– To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool;
– To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen;
– To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies;
– To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.
Meet the new CPA, same as the old CPA
Nice twist on the best last line of a Who song on a great album! [Won’t Get Fooled Again. Who’s Next]
Slowly but surely with each parcel of mangrove approved for clearing the islands edge closer to the complete eradication of valuable green spaces which nurture wildlife and ultimately protects our communities. Genuinely who wants to live in a concrete wasteland made up of barren, rubbish construction sites and huge empty condo complexes. When will the tipping point be reached when our leaders have the courage to stop this wholesale destruction. I’m not against development but there have to be limits because there will no going back once the natural beauty of this paradise is gone forever for the sake of quick profit.
so then…come up with a plan to purchase and protect it. There’s enough money on the island to do it.
Bottom line, it’s zoned to be built on and until the development plan is re-done to change that then the owners are legally entitled to build whatever the zoning and planning laws allow.
By the way…they can get planning permission for a tiny little shack and use that to clear the entire plot if they like.
There is a path to stopping this type of deforestation, but it is not complaining and whining on CNS every single time someone does what they’re legally allowed to do and clears their land.
Buy it and donate it yourself to the national trust, get the development plan changed (which likely will never happen) or shut up about it.
Laws have been broken. The authorities are complicit. But no-one in government has the balls to do f$&k about it!! Enough with the niceness Franz, get jiggy widit and not just a for a 5k jog smile photo (vomit)
Ok then fine then and prosecute for the broken laws. That’s totally fine, make a police report and cite which law has been broken and file charges. Leave it to the courts.
But what they’ve done here is within their legal right. If the original clearing wasn’t then prosecute. We can’t just pick and choose.
I feel it for the DOE staff who are trying to do their jobs. The CPA does not give two hoots about their recommendations. They are shot down time and time again. And, seriously, a building supply yard in this location?? Things really have not changed. We are the fools, buying up all the election promises and expecting CHANGE. The more things change, the more they remain the same!
Terminological sophistry by the developers to get permission. A building supply and storage facility on the South Sound coast by destroying mangroves (nice!) rather than in Industrial Park or another appropriate site. The members of the CPA should be placed in stocks in hero’s square and splattered with rotten tomatoes for a week.
CNS – your “like” and “dislike” tabs are multiplying each click by 5.
CNS: When you vote the thumbs update to reflect all the other votes that comment has had, so it looks as if it’s jumping because of your one vote, but it really isn’t.
More bullsh&% as how can they allow these men to open a building supply so close to a residential area? This CPA is no different than the last bunch. Why don’t they locate their new building supply yard in industrial park? Just disgusting. And where is old Premier Wayne at now?
Hope that supply store gets shmucked by the next hurricane.
This is damn disgraceful. We need the protection of these natural barriers! The most destructive animal is mankind. This is sad news.
The Honourable Wayne Panton, as the Premeier, elected this board – why is he not putting his foot down and say – this government is NOT going to destroy anymore of the mangroves.
I believe it was Jay that elected this board but they are no different from the former PPM Board. At this rate, we might as well had left Al’ T there with his rubber stamp.
There needs to be a complete sweep of this board and a new board put in place that has the political agenda of the PACT government at it’s forefront. This is death by a thousand cuts for the PACT Government if they continue to sit back and do nothing..
To 11:09 – Jay might have put the board in place – but he has to answer to the Premier – the Premier is his boss. Therefore, why is the Honourable Premier letting this happen?
Are you sure Wayne Panton is in charge? Sure seems like the McKeeva Bush is really calling the shots around here.
Because the only reason he is premier is because of the votes of a small group of people, who will happily switch to the PPM if Wayne doesnt let them run amok in their ministries. Wayne has sold his soul I am afraid for the illusion of power. he used to be powerless but respected for his integrity. Now he is powerless, integrity is way back in his rear view mirror, and people hold him accountable for the actions if his “subordinates” – so respect gone too. Mark 8:36 – except he didnt even gain much.
What you fail to understand 11:09 is that this board is in fact carrying out the PACT agenda! Why do you think no one in the government is saying or doing anything about it?
You all still waiting on Wayne to keep his word ? It was a scam … get used it
Another private sector board strikes again.
Off reg
Airport authority
Port authority
All run my private sector boards. We need a new model that actually works for the betterment of our people.
This is called self-annihilation.
Cayman is such a sorry mess right now.
I don’t know how any Caymanian could sleep at night being part of the CPA and rubber stamping the likes of this and FIN. The perks must be worth it.
There is much more moolah at stake than you realize.
Anyone who expected this CPA to take a different tact that the last, where unbridled development is concerned, should reevaluate their expectations.
Short & simple – Government revenues are based on fees collected from land sales, development applications, imported materials, work permits, etc, etc….among the many others.
Every CPA approval facilitates all of the above. NOTHING will change!!
We can still increase revenue for the Government by approving development but this is just not sustainable nor does it make a lick of sense.
How much longer before this board is replaced. Is it going to take a march on the Government to disband them or are we just going to do as we did with the previous board and let them sit there for four years?
Do they have a T&B for the new business?
run the name of the business on the list of TBL licensees on the DCI website under “reports”
Don’t worry, they will get that today!