Threat to blues grows in face of another sub-division
(CNS): A planning application by South Cove Ltd for another residential sub-division off the Queen’s Highway in East End is placing Cayman’s critically endangered blue iguana under further pressure. The application is for 26 residential lots on nine acres of land currently zoned agricultural-residential, so it will require a variance from the Central Planning Authority as only 18 homes would be allowed under the regulations.
However, the density issue is not the only problem for the proposed land sell-off for this pristine primary habitat that is likely home to the country’s iconic iguana.
The Department of Environment is still doing battle in the courts with the CPA over after-the-fact planning permission given to a developer on temporary protected land between the Salina and Colliers reserves where a road and land clearing had taken place in the absence of any planning permission.
Although the DoE acted to place some temporary protections on that particular stretch of land, as development encroaches further and further into the untouched land in East End and North Side, the indigenous blue iguana is being squeezed out of its natural habitat.
In submissions to the CPA in connection with this latest application, which is scheduled to be heard Wednesday, the DoE experts urged the CPA to carefully consider the implications of yet another sub-division on Cayman’s dwindling natural resources.
The land in question consists of untouched dry shrubland in close proximity to the Colliers Wilderness Reserve, one of two reserves where captive-bred endemic Blue Iguanas have been released. Given the extensive range of these animals, which were only just brought back from the brink of extinction, some of the released animals have been recorded nesting and breeding in primary habitat outside of the reserves.
The DoE said the iguanas have been recorded feeding in other parcels around the proposed subdivision site so it is highly likely that there are Blue Iguanas present on the site where nesting could also be taking place.
“Subdivisions in primary habitat such as this one pose threats to the recovering species,” the DoE said in the CPA submissions. “The installation of road infrastructure in approved subdivisions could lead to an increase in Blue Iguana road strikes and introduce invasive species deeper into the forest. One of the primary human-associated threats to the Blue Iguana is road kills due to cars travelling faster than the iguana or the driver can react.”
The DoE also pointed out that clearing primary habitat also removes feeding areas for iguanas. As they recover from the brink of extinction, reproduce and establish territory, “the urbanization of valuable primary habitat continues to be a concern for the future of our wild population that relies on this habitat to forage, shelter and nest”, the DoE added.
The department pointed out that in the absence of an updated National Development Plan, before deciding the application a “comprehensive review of the ‘need’ for the subdivision of more parcels in the area is undertaken” because the impact of further residential development on existing infrastructure and the environment and the local community should be properly evaluated.
“There are subdivisions that were cleared and filled over 30 years ago and have never been developed, resulting in biodiversity loss, proliferation of invasive species and habitat fragmentation with no social or economic benefit to offset it. If there is no intention to develop these lots, then there is no social benefit or improved living environment for the people of East End to set against the environmental harm from habitat fragmentation and loss,” the DoE added.
The department urged the CPA, if it decides to grant planning permission for the subdivision of the lots not to allow any land clearance until planning permission is granted for the actual development of them to at least leave this important and bio-diverse habitat undisturbed for as long as possible.
See Wednesday’s CPA Agenda here.
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Category: development, Land Habitat, Local News, Science & Nature
I’m not a fan of G. W. Bush, but he’s credited with the below comments, whomever wrote them for him, certainly has hit the nail squarely on its head. This rings true everywhere that there’s destruction on earth with no regards given to persevering nature as best as can be…
“Good stewardship of the environment is not just a personal responsibility, it is a public value… Our duty is to use the land well, and sometimes not to use it at all.
This is our responsibility as citizens, but more than that, it is our calling as stewards of the earth.”- George W. Bush
pathetic little man he is. hes gone to destroy blue iguana habitat now.
Who is it?
this persons greed will be their downfall.
Give them their own homeland.!
Why can’t environmentally sensitive land be bought by the Government? And not at the ridiculously low prices that the Lands Department assigns when they compulsorily take land.
Land ownership has traditionally been the way Caymanians provide for their families and future generations, there is a long history of this(as well as controversy, but that is a separate issue), and it is only fair that they be fairly compensated for their land. Currently, the only way to do this is by developing it. This should change.
Say a Caymanian landowner owns X acres of land. Their options are either to sell the whole piece to a developer, subdivide and sell land lots, or subdivide, build homes, and sell those. Their choice depends on their financial standing, among other things. There should be some way to know what they would profit after all expenses are taken into account. That amount is what they should be paid by Government, and then the land protected.
Naive maybe, but there has to be an option other than the rampant development that is now going on.
Don’t worry, the CPA chairman will ram this one thru as well.
This chairman is the worst that Cayman has ever had. Why is he still their? Does he have some special connections to highly placed officials?
Good question on the first and Yes, yes he does to your second question.
As with most of these boards the Chairman always has some special connections to highly placed officials or personal interest and is soley there to be “Yes” men or women or benefit directly.
It simply is not feasible to allow the population to grow at this rate and save rare species. The government needs to make a choice. The roads are already choked and it can only get worse
They paved paradise and put up a series of bland concrete boxes with granite kitchen counters and some stainless appliances to sell for a load of money for ‘executive’ lifestyles…with a parking lot.
Roll up. Never been a better time to buy, or some other nonsense.
So true, so very true! A bunch of cookie cutter, boring, looking all the same industrial, prison like designs. The Modern/ultra modern houses/condos are a snooze and long past their due of uniqueness. No character, cheap to build and wears out often on both interior and exterior builds.
All of these new developments and apartments that normal folks can’t actually afford. Who are they being sold to? Makes you wonder what is really going on here.
Hopefully everybody is doing their KYC.
Our government is doing this, owning property gives your more points to PR.
If only it were that simple. Outside investors aren’t buying for PR. It’s an investment.
The outside investors are building to sell to the work permit holders how are seeking points for PR. Win, win, win for the developer, the work permit holder and government. The losers are the envorinment, indigenous species and caymanians.
Cayman PR is an investment, too. They are getting two for one, while we are priced out of the market completely.
“Outside investors aren’t buying for PR. It’s an investment.”
Yes it is an investment and also a way to obtain PR, which can then change their taxresidency….precisely why most of them are empty.
We are overpopulated. We do not need 20% of the people that are here. It is time for a new conversation. A managed reduction in our population. That will solve our infrastructure pressures, our housing crisis, our environment and our quality of life. Less really can mean more.
Maybe start a war with a neighboring country. Cayman with no guns would be easy picking
We may have already been invaded. We just haven’t really noticed yet.
Good luck with that. You could be a leader and be the first to go. Hard to reduce population from a country that by caparison is a paradise most countries. Maybe you can control it going forward but I am afraid the almighty dollar will determine that.
Agree. That would also ease our traffic problems, and our difficulties with schools being overcrowded. We can be more with less.
this article failed to mention that there were 3 confirmed deaths of blue iguanas near this parcel. they definitely live in this parcel, sad.
isnt this the same guy that illegally cleared a subdivision in east end too???
disgusting greedy developers are ruining this place.
ALT was recently granted a “slum landlord” variance. It’s a race to the bottom now with that precedent set. All they care about is the prospect of 31% more rent payers.
Yes, many are fooled by the term ‘affordable housing’. It is simply yuck speak for future slums/ghetto or the modern day reservation for Caymanians.
Lol good luck to that guy.
If the will of the people matters an iota to the sitting government, they will endeavour to purchase this property, to preserve it in perpetuity, for the habitat of the Cyclura lewisi — the native Blue Iguana. They ONLY exist here on Grand Cayman. Nowhere else in the world.
Very sad to see the eastern end of the island, with the last remaining undeveloped large tracts of land, being carved up so a few privileged people can cash in. Trust me, having wrecked the island, these people (including the Caymanians among them) will take their money and fly off to greener pastures overseas.
Cayman, as a natural habitat, is doomed. Cayman, as a totally overdeveloped and sterile human habitat, is inevitable. But only for a while, as Cayman will eventually revert to being a submerged reef. By the time that happens, Cayman, as a decent place for people to live, will have already been destroyed by the actions of its politicians and rich developer class.
“Cayman will eventually revert to being a submerged reef”. If Cayman is submerged so will Manhattan. I will check back with you in 500 years.
if the land is that important then BUY IT. I’m so sick of these wildlife tyrants telling land Owners what to do with their land.
In this instance I 100% agree with you. If the Blue Iguana is expanding its habitat into unprotected areas, either buy the land or relocate the Blue Iguana back to the protected areas. The only issue at hand is the variance from 18 to 26 homes.
Are you really suggesting a round-up of (native) Blue Iguanas back to their reserves and make them stay there?
8:33, very similar exercise has been / is currently being performed against the average Caymanian with all this country’s development geared towards the 1%. Slowly being corralled to little pockets of the island whilst the rest is dressed up like South Beach.
Exactly. I hope all these whiners live in tents in the bush, but more likely they live in houses or condos that were built on undeveloped land.
I’m pretty sure not all the whiners live on 1 acre, $5 million dollar properties though.
That’s the reason they are called whiners in the first place :).
I’m not a fan of G. W. Bush, but he’s credited with the below comments, whomever wrote them for him, certainly has hit the nail squarely on its head. This rings true everywhere that there’s destruction on earth with no regards given to persevering nature as best as can be…
“Good stewardship of the environment is not just a personal responsibility, it is a public value… Our duty is to use the land well, and sometimes not to use it at all.
This is our responsibility as citizens, but more than that, it is our calling as stewards of the earth.”- George W. Bush
the hypocrisy kills me. ‘hey i want your money, buy this piece of land’. then turn around and say ‘hey wait, don’t do anything to that land. unqiue lizards are on it.’ FOH
An ignorant comment, or a troll to get a rise out of those who are 7 genuinely concerned for the overall well-being of the Cayman Islands natural and some one-of-a-kind living things. But you do you and us “wildlife tyrants” will continue to do what we do, push back! Oh, and “tyrants” are an oppressive and cruel people, certainly that can’t be used to describe those that are caring, are voicing their concerns about the over developments that are happening with little to no monitoring or actual heavy fines/prison for those that are breaking the laws regarding developing/permission laid out.
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi