Emerald Sound approved
(CNS): Full story – Despite significant opposition from residents, environmental concerns and wide public disagreement that included a petition with over 1,000 names, the Central Planning Authority has approved the controversial Emerald Sound development in South Sound. The project, which includes cutting canals from the ocean into the main land as well as moving the road, has caused anxiety in the community, not just about the potential detrimental impact on the local environment but that to approve such a development would set a worrying precedent for future canal developments. Burns Conolly, who represents the developers, said Thursday morning that he had been informed that the application made on Wednesday had been approved.
Conolly told CNS that although the developer is still awaiting a coastal works license, he could technically begin the project on the land side but would not be able to link the canals to the ocean without approval for coastal works, which has to come from Cabinet.
He also stated that he believes the developer has addressed all of the National Roads Authority’s concerns and those of the Department of the Environment and that this development will not have a negative impact on the Sound or pose any threats to the community in bad weather. Despite the opposition in the local community, Conolly said Emerald Sound would be a boost to the neighbourhood and create jobs.
“The developer has done a tremendous amount of research, including computer simulations of storm surge to ensure that the objectors' concerns were understood and the myths surrounding this project were dispelled. Emerald Sound will be a benefit to the Cayman Islands, uplifting property values in the area and providing a new standard of development in South Sound,” Conolly said. “We presented a detailed application that met all the existing plans and regulations in the Cayman Islands. The developer has even made available over seven acres of land to deal exclusively with the neighbours’ rainwater and run-off,” he noted, adding that he was not surprised that the CPA approved the application.
Those who are opposed to the development said they were not entirely surprised the CPA approved the application either, as they said the authority tends to base its decisions on narrow criteria that does not consider the bigger picture, and in particular the coastal works area. However, Katrina Jurn, one of those leading the campaign against the project, said those who wereagainst the development were not giving up yet.
“We were hoping that the CPA would make the right decision and this would not be such a long process but we must now turn our attention to the appeal and stopping the costal works approval,” she stated.
Jurn said that the opposition campaign had more faith in the appeals process as it would be looking at a much wider remit and would consider more than the limited technical criteria which the CPA is bound to make its decision upon.
She pointed out that although just about every single resident in the 1500 foot area had objected, those objections were completely ignored by the CPA, which made the decision based on whether or not the developer had met specific technical points. DoE concerns or those of residents were essentially ignored, Jurn said, which will not be the case when Cabinet considers the coastal works license.
The issue the objectors have with this particular project is that the development cannot be considered as two separate elements as the CPA have essentially done. Jurn pointed out that, given that the proposed design includes canals that will link the land development to the Sound, granting planning permission without consideration of the impact on the marine environment as the CPA did is flawed.
She said the battle would continue and the people involved in the campaign to stop Emerald Sound would be meeting at 5pm on Saturday to discuss the appeal against the CPA’s decision and how best to impress upon government their objections regarding the coastal works stage of the application.
Category: Science and Nature
Oh great, more destruction!
Wake up and smell the roses on this one mr. Connolly. No one in south sound wants this project. If things go wrong as the objectors suggest do you really want to go down in history as the man who wrecked south sound
No objector has suggested anything that we have not disproved to date with research. Most people commenting do not realise my home is down the road from this development and I would be one to also lose if it is a problem.
If the 80 acres of dredging east to west within south sound in 1970, the filling of the area from the dock to the Avenue both sides, the creation of most objector's lands and homes and the moving of 3000 feet of road did no significant damage to SS then I am positive the one house lot 6 feet deep and this shallow canal will not either.
We have proven that Ivan flooded this coast and we contend that a similar hurricane will repeat that. We have proven that the water will be over the road in a minimum of 5 locations prior to any water coming out of the canal. I can therefore simple and accurately state this development will not increase or promote the flooding in South Sound during a storm event, ever.
This project seems well planed and will be a great success, planning was no where in sight when the previous development's were built and it shows. Congratulations Renne, I wish you the best. As for Burns you wont get any votes in South Sound next election, but a well done job on this design.
This is the last development we will see done by a Caymanian in Cayman, from here on it will be Dartitanna. Selah. Well done RH and BC, it get through.
You have to know how to drive on a bridge, there is alot of wind from the South and most Caymanians don't know how to drive in the wind.
I heard Mr. Frank Guello with this in the meeting. Very funny comment. We may have to get the Brackers down to train our Grand Cayman drivers how to drive more that 3 feet above sea level( or get those from East End who hazard the soaring cliffs of High Rock each day).
Next will be that planes fly over Emerald Sound and that it will some how effect the airplane's height or something. Just waiting….
Let us stop being silly. If you have a concern, real concern, lets hear it. Call me and I can look into it but this is insulting that "Caymanians don't know how to drive in wind".
Burns, DON'T LAUGH…
Burns, DON'T LAUGH at what you clearly don't understand "Wind Gradient"…
You probably haven't travelled enough to see windsocks along windy roads, as I have and you probably don't know that wind speed at 22' is much higher than at 6', which is why KITE surfboards hold the world speed record on water…
http://www.cs.unca.edu/~boyd/touring/tour03/day4/windsock.jpg
I predict that the way your bridge is designed will cause a number of ROAD DEATHS over a period of time for 2 main reasons:
– The distance of some 350' between the top of the bridge and Bel Air road intersection with South Sound road is much too short and a car travelling at 40 mph will cover that distance in 6 seconds flat, leaving little time to react for drivers engaging East or West on South Sound road…
– The wind speed will increase by more than50% from the 6' road height to the 22' bridge height and the wind flow will be disturbed by the bridge profile height of some 5' in the middle, causinfg further acceleration. So, if a Southerly wind blows at 30 knots – a common occurence – there will be at least 45 knots (54 mph) blowing across the surface of the bridge, enough to push light cars and panel vans sideways in the path of vehicles coming from the opposite direction…
Btw, don't start gloating too early, because this project will get buried in litigation and if the developer ever wins, by then it'll be too late as the real estate market will be down another 30%, due to a huge rise in interest rates caused by forthcoming inflation…
Whoever you are you really crack me up at this point. Simple question- what is the wind speed increase across the Ritz Carlton Bridge? That bridge actually has the full east wind blowing across it 85 % of the year…. oh what bridge?…it's the one that we travel over everyday on the bypass about the same height as the proposed ES, the one between the hotel and the golf course.
Wind speed is determined not by height but by pressure differences in the atmosphere. If one has a difference, a wind is created to attempt to balance out the pressure. Nothing to do with height actually although some of the highest point on earthdo have significant pressure differences and hence very high wind speeds. In some places the Bernoulli effect takes place where a wind can increase in speed due to a narrowing of its travel path (through a mountain pass for instance) or UNDER a bridge. The red and blue passages on the crescent in Camana Bay always have an increased wind speed in them at ground level– they were designed to do so.
The Kite surfer is getting clean air above the surface turbulence cause by friction with the water- and yes it is faster at the kite level but not because of simple elevation. At ES the surrounding trees, homes, fences, guard rails etc will provide surface turbulence at the bridge level as well.
Just for your record however, I have in fact driven across the USA, in Colorado, in Northern California's coast road, through Europe and Switzerland, driven the Brenner pass between Austria and Italy….I do know high wind conditions and do know they can take a car off the road. But to suggest that people are going to be killed as cars are blown off the road in South Sound is really far out, I must say.
Anyway hope to have informed you about winds and how they are formed.
Regarding litigation, I am sure it's any aggrieved party's right to appeal. Should they have a good point they may even win. However, If it is a frivolous matter they will have to pay cost to the developer. I don't gloat, I just try to do my job thoroughly. And I am comfortable that we have answered all relevant questions scientifically and in a non-emotive manner.
BURNS, you still don't get it…
…and pasting excerpts of the likes of Wikipedia, won't help you out on this one…
QUOTED from you: "Wind speed is determined not by height…"
TOTALLY WRONG and I hope nobody ever ask you to design a high rise building or a wind generator, given this kind of IGNORANCE!…
Here is a graph you should study closely, starting with this statement: "The wind speed increases with height…"
http://www.knmi.nl/samenw/hydra/faq/profile.htm
Also, the force applied to the car is a function of the square of the wind speed, hence if the wind speed increases 50% between, say 20 and 30 knots, the force applied to the car will more than double!…
Btw, the Bernoulli effect you quote – NOT only causes an acceleration of the wind flow below a bridge, BUT also on the TOP of the bridge, adding tothe higher wind speed found at higher elevations…
QUOTED from you: "I do know high wind conditions and do know they can take a car off the road. But to suggest that people are going to be killed as cars are blown off the road in South Sound is really far out, I must say."
So you won't be able to plead ignorance when an accident happens as a result of your bridge design. Btw, I din't say anywhere that the car would be blown off South Sound road: only that it would be made to deviate from its lane and potentially cause a collision with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction…
I note that you did not respond to the fact that the bridge top and Bel Air intersection with South Sound road are way too close together
XXXXX
Food for thought…
Actually, during triathalons cyclists have been blown off their bikes on the Ritz bridge.
Also need to be aware the bridges will ice up before normal highways and most Caymanians also aren't familiar with driving on icy roads 🙂
or on roundabouts!
Oh well, mother nature doesn't seem to care about predictions and studies, and no matter how many studies are conducted, one can't possibly assume and predict all possible scenarios and respective outcomes.
It is not a question of "If" but rather a question of "when". We won't know today or tomorrow, but eventually we will know if those fancy developments can withstand mother nature and her mighty powers.
Ivan was a great equalizer – at least for a couple of days everyone suffered the same, no matter if rich or poor, so just keept that in mind.
I'm still wondering where all the people are that are going to live there. With so many properties languishing on the market now….
Oh, well, build it and they will come, you zombies.
I haven't seen the plans but I'm presuming that this 'development' will just be another clearing and filling process with the land being sold to individuals to build on? Maybe a few roads paved and a few early builders who will stick up another over specced house in some pastiche of a Floridian/Tuscan style whilst the rest lays a baron wasteland. Sound too familiar?
Lets be clear, XXXX could probably develop the land he has and make money, by moving the road and adding canal access he can make a lot of money. Lets drop all the non sense about being pro development or not and call it what it is. Its not disimliar to slash and burn devlopment of the rain forest, what's wrong with that?
The CPA have just voted for another big ugly scar on Cayman and to line the pockets of another developer. Jobs will be fleeting and only for the cheapest labour (imported), and your average Joe will see no benefit.
CNS note: Burns Conolly is nto the developer.
GO BURNS! Can't wait till that swamp is gone, too many mosquitos =p
What is the point of being caymaninan now a days if we have NO say in how our country is run?!!
over 1,000 names and signatures and nothing done! This is a shame, and with all the b*llsh*it that is going on in the cayman islands, i am sad to say i too am ashamed of being caymanian!
What amazes me is that Burns was first and foremost in the fight against the Ritz Carton's developers destruction of the mangroves on that site. Now he's a proponent of the destruction of one the most beautiful and pristine shorelines in the Island. XXXX
The Ritz Carlton application did not meet any of our Planning Application requirements when first submitted. Inconsistent drawings, incomplete drawings, no details, no elevations, no site plans, no information on how they would deal with the environmental issues and concerns, no floor plans that matched site plans, land surveys that did not match site plans, inconsistent setbacks, no parking, I could go on– it got full CPA approval 3 weeks after submission….. a truly "flawed" application. Both myself personally and the National Trust appealed and got the approval overturned. We went all the way to the Grand Court to do so and spent a considerable amount of my own money doing so. That case set several precedents in the Courts here on dealing with planning appeals.
On the other side, The Emerald Sound was a complete application, meets all guidelines, met all Planning Regulations, has explained all relevant issues and has even done additional studies to dispel the myths. What most people seem to forget is that my home is a half a mile down the road and if I thought for a second that ES would affect SS I would be logically the first in line to object. I do know that with or without ES, South Sound will flood during the next major hurricane, and water will come over the 3 to 4 foot high road, just like it did in Ivan and long before it jumps out of the 8 foot high canal zone in ES. At the ES development location there is currently no view of the sea and the remaining visible coastline will remain as is.
Hope that explains it…..
In reviewing the comments contained in this thread it is interesting how many are in favor of this development.
"Save Cayman" went to sleep in this entire issue, have they disbanded?
One can only wonder what went on behind the scenes in this process.
Well done we are already the 5th largest financial center in the world and the Black Berry capital of the world. We still have lots of money and investors still want to come and live here. We are a first world economy and this project will bring more of the super rich that want to live here. South Sound is a really nice area and this development will only enhance the beauty.
Pride comes before a fall, 3,000 status came before Hurricane Ivan.
Well done Burns and Renee, let's get some things going on this Island. looks like it's going to be a beautifull project.
whats the sence of this project their only destroying cayman and if a hurricane comes the whole of south sound will flood when they start digging it out and south sound is already a very low area already but i guess you cant tell a fool anything and the same goes for the east end project as well *smfh*
The whole of South Sound did flood with Hurricane Ivan, canals or no canals.
Most of Grand Cayman flooded with Hurricane Ivan, canals or no canals.
And so now will flood even more! DUH!
You can be pregnant or not. You can't be more pregnant……
You can have one hand cut off or both. I'm pretty sure we can both agree on what sucks more.
But you can be more flooded!
I hope this developer know what he has gotten himself into,
Thats a whole lot of peat swamp that will have to be removed before anything can be done, the developer will have to dig out at least 8 feet and fill it with rock for the foundations to be stable. This peat swamp being developed serves as a natural means of flood mitigation if this will be removed, what will happen to the surrounding areas.
The peat swamps serve like a natural form of water catchmeent whereby any overflow will be absorbed by the peat, if you take that away you are asking for problem
Wedid peat depth tests in 55 locations along the canal path after the first myths about this was floated. The deepest we found was 1.7 feet below sea level. Many were at or above above. I know we will also find deeper pockets but the average depth was at sealevel before we hit the cap rock/marl.
Therefore all water flowing across this area does so basically on the surface. Which is why at the slightest rain water pours out those existing cuts. By developing the land we are removing land area that is creating (adding) water and replacing it with mandatory deep well drainage. The net effect may actually be a positive aid in terms of flooding.
So the 'peat swamp' does not act as a flood mitigator.
Keep busting those myths, Burns!
'at least 8 feet of peat swamp' lol
Burns ,please have a public area with a deck for the South Sounders can go and sit in the evening and enjoy the view..GREAT PR WORK.
I think Burns Connolly needs to give the people of Cayman an explnation to why he went to such great lengths to object to the Ritz Carlton Development and what is the environmental impact of that Development compared to that of the Emerald Sound Development.
I am glad that the planning department looked at this in a sound and fair way.If only we could get that BRAC project underway to create the same.
It will be interesting to see when thenext shoe will drop. As many of us know, the existing man made entrance through the reef into South Sound is a tricky one, and a number of people have come to grief on the reef itself; not to mention also on the rather nice large coral heads in the Sound itself.
The new development will bring a large number of boat owners into the Sound. They may get a rude awakening when they try to use the entrance in rough conditions. Will there then be lobbying to remove the coral and dig a deeper and wider channel to and through the reef?
The Pine Nettles will soon be cut down! Where are the politicians for the small community of South Sound? What will happen to the hickatees and wildlife that lives in the swamp? All the MLA's are quiet, the silence is deafening!
Libertarian,
I don't think I've ever seen you make an educated or researched comment. You are probably the biggest bandwagonist that comments on CNS. The Casurina pines you speak of are not native to these islands and are an oversized weed… Cut them all down!
And for the people crying out about the mangroves being killed or removed… Remember Ivan? Yeah… well he already took care of that!
For those of you who argue that they development will cause more flooding due to the peat (natural sponge) being removed. You are wrong because, the South Sound road acts as a man made barrier (FACT) stopping the rainwater from naturally making its way to the sea. By breaking a gap through the road and building a bridge this will allow rain water to make its way into the sea without ristriction.
As for the Hickatees and herrons… I am sure a few will need relocating. But giving Caymanians jobs and putting people to work seems to out weigh the removal of a few animals.
May common sense and education prevail over haters and bandwagonists!
it would have been nice if you said relocating all of hickatees and herrons, but apparently, you mentioned some. so i guess the rest you will bury. you have no thought for wildlife, do you
Mr. Ridley they will have to as it's very tricky to get inside that channel specially at night, To answer your questions developpers don't really care for our mangoves, so imagine the coral heads,,, Yes as You well said it will be Interesting and Time and Mother nature will tell. Please take good care of the Sound and plan very carefully for storm surges. REMEMBER ?…… Michel Lemay
One objector group from Pirates Lair Condos has built a lovely 20-30 capacity boat docking marina jetty projecting into the south sound, complete with gazebo. Hmmm…I wonder why???
Pirates Lair owners have a great track record of putting their boats on the reef….Tim Ridley
Perhaps because they have had one there for the last 20 years…
Doesn't make it right, but back then, Cayman was desperate for a saviour in the form of development – now we are just desperate to be saved from developers XXXX
That was built after Ivan…. Not 20 years ago.
The Pirates Lair dock was first built many years ago, and was rebuilt after Ivan. it would be a brave seaman who tried to dock 20-30 boats there safely! Tim Ridley
REbuilt after Ivan. It has been there many many years…
Well I heard Captain Paul Hurlstone say that he was in favour of a huge cut through the reef, I think 400 to 600 feet or something like that and the whole area inside the sound dug out to 40 feet deep to make a cruise ship turning area but he was against emerald sound. Now I am no sea captain but that sounds crazy. Maybe Tim you are right. Captain Paul and the objectors might be planning that cruise dock there and Hislop is getting ready for that or getting in the way. Lord help us.
Given that idea, emerald sound is nothing.
ARE YOU SAYIN TO CLOSE OFF THE PUBLIC DOCK??
Of course not. Docks are a different subject altogether. Tim Ridley
Very GOOD Point…
Very GOOD Point, Mr Ridley and much better than your reply when I advocated that the Monetary Authority should invest $33 million (1/3 of its reserves) in GOLD when it was only $865.00…
You said then it was just a TRADE and have clearly been proven wrong, as Russia, China, India and most other Central Banks are now falling over themselves trying to buy Gold instead of selling it, as Mr. Brown did when he sold some 400 tons of UK Gold at $255.00 an ounce…
For the record, Gold is about to go through $1,700.00 and the Government would have made a cool $33 million on the "TRADE", as you called it, with at least another double in the next couple years, the way all FIAT currency are being debased…
Thanks to Mac and the rest of the United Republican Party… this is no democracy
In Cayman, money always wins.
Money did not win. Renee may be rich, but compared to the objecting residents (with their NIMBY mentality) he is poor.
Well, common sense, the environment and the long-term well being of the island didn't win, so perhaps you can tell me who did!!! Rene's less-than-thy-neighbour's money, apparently…
You're RIGHT…
This project will get buried in litigation and if the developer ever wins, by then it'll be too late as the real estate market will be down another 30%, due to a huge rise in interest rates caused by forthcoming inflation…
This Greenish/Greedish project is DOOMED!…
The beginning of the end of the ordinary persons view of and access to the beach. This will be known as the point when it became OK to move public roads to please developers and increase their oceanfront land size and value.
Next stop: closing of part of the West Bay road.
We should all stage a sit-in on the beaches at these locations.
Sad day for ordinary Caymanians.
I sure hope you are not one of those persons that live between the Red Bay Dock and the Avenue.
If you are you are benefiting from the relocation of 3,000 feet of South Sound road in 1970 to satisfy Messors Bill Walker, Benson Ebanks, Barton & Charles Kirkconnell who moved it to create the seaside residential lots there and the Anne Bonny, Mary Reid areas, Squash, Rugby and Tennis facilities by dredging 70 or more acres out of south sound. ES does not propose to move the road to create land on the seaside. Those lots exist today and have for 10 years.
Hopefully, relocating roads away from the sea or providing alternate roads should be government priority to ensure public safety in a hurricane. And I do agree however some roads should be left in situ due to their scenic nature.
Ma momma always told me "two wrongs don't make a right" – you shoulda met ma momma…
Your arguements use historical mistakes to defend future environmental ones – where is the right in that? XXXX
Your momma was a very smart woman. You're absolutely correct – just because we nuked Japan a few decades ago, doesn't necessarily mean that we should nuke anyone in the near future…
No, I do not live between Red Bay Dock and The Avenue, unlike you I am not benefitting at all from this development and I don't care who dredged what in the past, it doesn't mean it should be dredged now. I do not dispute that the lots existing now have been there for a while but I do know that the end result of moving the road will be that larger houses can be built on the oceanside. You can word it all you like about lot size but we know what this is all about. Please answer the question you have repeatedly been asked regarding the NRA's opinion of the approach to the bridge.
My how the comments on here speak volumes. People change is inevitable or progress is none! Cayman has been behind on many progressions and evolutions for so long that the people get use to seeing anything foreign or any change as a negative and it is sad that an individual project cant be judged on just that; the individuality. To top it off the average local man CAN NOT afford to live in that vacinity nor do you benefit from it yet your voices are so high. At least consider that the project benefits such as work, tourism and appeal.
Cayman open your eyes the world is ever changing and progressing everyday, we are affected by violence, cost of living, politics right here locally everyday, things we never thought we would hear of right here but guess what, we are hearing it! Why put so much resistance to the things that at least bring benefit just because you are not comfortable and because it is changing "our little island". God knows the world is changing regardless and Cayman is not exempt, we can either be equipt to keep up or we can stay in our box a suffer the issues we deal with today such as constantly borrowing money to fund the country and inexperience leaders and high numbers of foreign management.
What do you want to progress to? Please tell me since you go on about it like theword itself is enough to justify anything.
GREAT news. Yes, its great news to some some new developments every few years.
I WONDER how many of these petitioners HAVE BACK OR FRONT YARDS, where natural flora and fauna are removed to allow for grass, concrete and pool, together with a driveway? That is not natural and not 'needed'.
Come on people, yes, human civalization means that occassionally nature will be altered. (And while you are screaming about this, please return your yards to the natural state they were in…..).
I drive through South Sound and see all the naysayer signs put up. Put up of course in front of your half acre properites, which required you to destroy a half acre of nature just so one family can live in an oppulent home.
HYPOCRISY!!
our plot was stripped & flattened of all vegetation after Hurricane Ivan and I have spent these past years replanting with local trees and shrubs, caring for the tarpon and hickatees that were deposited in the excavated land hole in front of our land during the flooding as well as keeping the swamp behind which acts as a breeding ground for moorhens and whistling ducks…i think you see only what you want to see…
And who is to say that the residents of this new development won't perform similar acts of stewardship?
Congrats to Burns, Rene and his team.
I wasn't at the CPA meeting, but I did go to the public presentation the week before. It's a sad sight to see so many expats (and a handful of caymanians) arguing to stop progress.
In one breath they are saying "we are not against development" and the next "we are happy with South Sound the way it is, broken casuarinas etc"
FINALLY SOME PROGRESS IN THIS ISLAND.
WHAT IS SAW THURSDAY WAS A SOUND PROJECT. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT BUILT!
Hope you are willing to pay my portion to help fix the bridge when it is damaged by a hurricane. I have no doubt that it will become a liability to the NRA in regards to upkeep and there is no way we should all have to pay for it. A large bond should be posted by Emerald Sound developers for WHEN repairs need to be done.
I do not understand why the developers cannot just develop his land & leave the coastline alone, leave our coastline alone. Why does he have to dredge? No one would object if he did HIS development on HIS land but leave OUR land alone! GREED! SELFISHNESS!
YOU MUST be on the CPA then.
No one else in the room was for the developer (excluding the developer, his two sons, lawyer, spokesperson, surveyor and one other gentleman).
Congrats Cayman! The green trumps the blue once again. By the time anyone realizes how bad an idea this is, the last boat will have sailed.
## Camana Bay ## approved, appealed… now loved.
## Ritz Carlton ## approved, appealed… now loved.
## Emerald Sound ### approved, appealed… will be loved.
It's a fact, cayman is resistant to change. Once this development is in place for a few months, people would petition it to be never removed as it will be a "focal point" of South Sound.
Gladly there are some objective people on the planning board that don't sucumb to rich man's pressures.
If you love the Ritz Carlton, good for you but don't talk on my behalf. It is still an ugly monstrosity.
You narrow minded fools. During the economic recession, the Ritz Carlton was the only thing keeping this island alive.
Um. Come again? Speak for yourself, maybe.
The only thing the Ritz has done for me is serve delightful afternoon tea. The scones are absolutely delicious.
Perhaps you should keep your name calling to yourself also! The island survived long before the Ritz Carlton. Appears you like to waste your money in an over priced establishment instead of supporting other local establishments that need the business.
The Ritz is over rated
Somebody in Cayman besides McKeeva loves the Ritz Carlton? We know HE thinks he's the only person in Cayman but you really don't have to reinforce that.
Might as well enjoy it now for its certainly short term pleasure, long term sorrow.
Come on MLA's!!!
A petition with over 1000+ names disagreed on this development. Some of you were able to stop a hole being dredged in East End. How is it you can't stop not even root canal?! And worse… the majority oppose this project!!!
A very very sad day for the beautiful island of Cayman………so sad what greed and money can do …so very short sighted also…a bit of short term employment for long term destruction..
The developer and the architect should be ashamed of themselves …………
If Rene is doing this it will be the nicest development in Cayman!
Bulls*** I have lived on one of his developements
I really don't think there is any hope for Cayman, these are the things that lead to destruction environmentally and mentally, causing crime to increase as people feel justified to commit crime because they see these types of crimes being committted and allowed by the Government, so they think, hey what's the difference, crime is crime, so let me partake of crime too in other sorts of ways!
If i go and take a conch out of the South Sound Bay area i would get arrested and possibly put in prison, but i can bring heavy equipment, dredge the Sound, cut canals through from inland to the Sound and it's all ok with the Law. But let me try to take one conch out of the Sound? Now what will happen to all the conch??? What will happen to the replenishment zone that i would get arrested and thrown into prison for taking a conch out of??? What, all of a sudden the replenishment zone doesn't matter anymore because of some rich folk trying to make millions of dollars for themselves at the cost of destruction to the Sound and God help the surrounding areas and Randyke Gardens when a storm surge comes in!? Now the Law all of sudden no longer matters about protecting the conch in the Sound!?
Twisted stuff!!
So now this brings 2 Surge Threats: Storm Surge and Crime Surge!
But you know what, i'm not surprised, Cayman has become a place where rich XXX developers always get there way. Dumb and Dumber!! Bye-Bye Cayman. RIP Cayman.
1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
Storm surge is coming with or without ES so that’s an invalid point – you clearly haven’t seen the presentation. I was a doubting Thomas like you but I made an effort to get the facts.
The couple of square feet they are touching isn’t going to render every conch in the sound homeless. What about all of the ACRES of dredging that some of the objectors’ families did? Living and making a profit on dredged land is good enough for them but no one else? Talk about hypocrisy.
The biggest threat to conch is the people who STEAL them – not the boats that pass over or the work ES proposes. We only heard about the guywith ninety (as in 90) conch on him last year!! That was the guy they caught – what about the others who get away? If you are so concerned about the conch go police it yourself…..
Proverbs 18:2 – A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Do you expect anything better from them??
The Country is run by a 'sell out' *smh
I am very saddened by this, but not surprised. Many Caymanians will only be happy once you've killed all the fish & coral, dredged all reefs, spoiled all the beaches, ripped up the mangroves, sold the island off to foreigners & developers, & entirely ruined the place for everyone else with these actions & rampact crime.
Corruption, politics, backhanders, worshiping the dollar, small minded people. I feel sorry for the rest who are amongst the most wonderful & amazing people I know, who will be affected by this.
I've been looking at buying property here, but this makes me think again; you're ruining this place.
By the way, when the land floods as a result of all this destruction, sue Government & the developers.
Connolly was very clear on the radio last week..he had done his home work and could answer all the objections- clearly he had. Glad to see something moving forward. We need the work.
Owning a canal lot in South Sound=WINNING!
Hopefully I can afford one!
I know this outcome a long time ago. Under this government anything is possiable. Welcome to Cayman, the same thing happen to us in BT, we have to live it or move out. Anyway thanks again UDP for a job not well done. The Sound Sound community is big, so remember this when you go to the polls very soon… Mike Adam my uncle will never vote for you again.
So now it is official – people in this community have no options to fight or stand up against anything because no matter what you do or how you do it, greed always wins and politicians will do as they please. They are not going to stop until every last inch of this Island has been moved around and concreted into someting.
CPA has really proven itself to be a rubber stamp
Has any one else noticed that builders now hire a connected person to apply to CPA only?
does seem suspicious
I guess this one will be going to the privy council!
Grand Court is the furthest a planning appeal can go and even before that you are exposed to considerable damages and costs. Stalling a development is not possible without some real planning points. Even Connolly said this met all planning laws. This may be a difficult one to appeal even to Grand Court.
Understood, but I was just repeating what one of the main opponents to this project said a few months back and that was they were willing to take it to the privy council, so I anticipate a big legal fight.
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is the highest Court that can consider a planning appeal.
Good Decision,
Being that development is one of the major pillars of our economy, when all of these new proposed projects get approved and construction gets started many people mainly Caymanians can get back to work to earn and in turn spend in the local economy. Government in turn can start to collect revenue in the form of duties / taxes to meet or surpass its budget.
Of all the areas / sectors that contribute to our economy, development / construction is the only one we have control over internally. Let’s get these projects started and out of the ground so this economy can get jump started again.
Good decision CPA / Planning Department I look forward to many more.
There was nothing "good" about this decision. The people had no say whatsoever, and the majority dissapproved! Interestingly, I haven't heard anything from the Opposition!
Yes you are correct in saying that development is one of the major pillars of our economy and the persons in construction may be able to get a job – not guarenteed though, however have you thought of it this way….
What happens when the whole Island has been developed and there is nowhere left to build? Government do not get their revenue from duties etc, therefore they have no revenue, so what will they need to do? Impose taxation!!!
Once you impose taxation, the finance industry starts to pull out, the people on work permits look for somewhere else to live with either less or no tax. this in turn will lead to even less revenue for the government…. more taxes.
Then the rest of the permit holders or people who have called this home for over 40 years start to leave the Island in droves…. less permit income….more taxes.
This is just the start of a snowball effect which will lead to the Island looking like a concrete block, with no view of the ocean, no wildlife as they have all died out due to their habitat no longer existing, no greenery anywhere.
Where will the young/old Caymanians be then? the will be even less jobs and thousands of empty deriict homes wasting away – there will be no turning back then.
On another note, it would be interesting to know exactly how many of you people who are pro destroying South Sound are for or against the East End development. I know the developer addressed the subject of setting president, however he has been given permission to dredge canals and a small channel in the shallow area of South Sound, what therefore is there now to stop the east end development going ahead?
Proverbs 29:9 if a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet………….Okay messenger of doom – if you don’t want it developed why don’t all the rich south sounders buy the property from the developer and leave it untouched for eternity. Yes let’s preserve this patch of swamp for our kids to have…..a patch of swamp
How much money does development put into our economy exactly? Is it more than tourism?
How many Caymanians work in the construction industry, exactly? Seems to me that a lot of work permits for cheaper labour result from these developments…
Obviously we don't have control otherwise the powers that be would listen to the objectors and keep the long-term interests of the Caymanian people in mind.
The other thing I would like to know is who the developer thinks is going to fill these homes? Hopefully not the same demographic that ever other developer with a subdivision under their belt is waiting for.. I would love to know how many of these developments are at capacity, because I have a feeling there are not a lot.
I am a young Caymanian and I am sick of older people arguing for short-sighted plans that will leave me and my children and grand-children with nothing in exchange for a few quick bucks in their pocket. You will pave paradise and leave our future generations with nothing.
This is an example of a nearsighted and incompetent opinion based on ignorance, greed and total indifference for future generations. Cayman government is the most overpaid, incompetent and underworked government in the world. This island should count its blessings and preserve what they happened to have, not develop, as well as leave something to their own children.There seem to be no end to people’s needs.
We are still very hopeful that Cabinet will make the right decision for our country and turn down the Coastal Works License and prevent this travesty from moving ahead.
Those who wish to help ensure that Emerald Sound will not go forward – Please contact your MLAs.
The objectors will also definitely be appealing this decision.
Protect South Sound!
"Money in my pocket but I can't get no love"
Did anyone really expect any diffrent results here. The Connolly Group made their case and did it well. Now whether we like it or not we have to live with it or move. Government is strap for cash, no development no money coming in. I don't agree with the decison but guess wah, I have live with it now. Just have to make the best of it .
Development will continue regardless
God help Us!
Exactly what "development money" do you think Government will get from this?
take that nimby's!….their only concern was for their own property values…..
a good day for cayman
To all the Enemies of Progress, you'll soon see the benefit of this glorious project!! #WIN 🙂
I hope you don't brand me as your enemy! I am not against progress and responsibly developing ourselves. But people like you need to understand that big massive projects do effect people's lives, and people ought to have a say in their own home communities! Don't you think?
I generally agree with most of your posts on CNS, but I must admit your position on this matter has thrown me for a bit of a loop. Of course the people should have a chance to raise their objections, but at the end of the day we are a country of laws. If all proper procedures are meet and laws followed, and the developer is able to obtain proper approvals, I see no reason the development shouldn’t be allowed to proceed (assuming the developer pays for all public works associated with this like the road moving). If experts in the field raise objections, the board certainly better take that intoaccount. However, in this case all objections and worries seemed to be fairly well answered to the satisfaction of the board (at least thus far).
If the people of these islands decide it is in their best interest to change the laws so all developments must first pass a popular vote, then so be it and change the laws. Until that time, I don’t see why this single development should face additional legal/regulatory hurdles that others don’t. Either hold all to that level of scrutiny and approval or none. We must be fair and just.
Personally, this development (with canal) makes no sense to me. South Sound is too small and shallow to much recreation. If you want to live on a canal, purchase property on a canal lot with access to North Sound where you have Rum Point, Stingray City, Kibo, etc, etc. At least that is my opinion, but if the developer has other ideas, is willing to put his own money into it, and gets approval following our current legal procedures I say best of luck!
Yes I do think. And I think big massive projects like Camana Bay is awesome. Another big masive and well researched project like Emerald Sound will also be awesome. Does thinking mean agreeing with you? Hardly… this project is good for us, watch and see.
So many people confuse self-destructions with a progress. Every decision madetoday must take into account seven future generations. Do you really need more than you already have? Greed replaced greatness in people’s character.
what is your alternative? you do think the generations from now will not do something similar? this development is for the better and it is going to happen, so whenit's over don't be surprised if you love it.
Maybe they'd do something better without a canal. I might love the development, but not the canal. That is what its all about isn't it?
A lot of evil things were done in the name of progress
Burns C: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!
What'd I say?
Ed Flanders: Monorail!
Burns C: What's it called?
Patty+Selma: Monorail!
Burns C: That's right! Monorail!
[crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically]
Miss Ebanks: I hear those things are awfully loud…
Burns C: It glides as softly as a cloud.
Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?
Burns C: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?
Burns C: You'll be given cushy jobs.
Abe: Were you sent here by the devil?
Burns C: No, good sir, I'm on the level.
Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.
Burns C: Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it's Cayman's only choice…
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
We're doomed.. Doomed I tell ya.!
There goes the neighborhood!
What is plain foolishness – the absolute lack of sufficient grounding that the objectors concerns were based on! A fantastic presentation made by Mr. Connolly so thorough! The main flaw was that most of the objectors didn’t have the facts (empty barrels do make the most noise). Science beats speculation and Burns came with science! People hear the words “Destroy South Sound” of course they are going to sign a petition and it is in the objectors’ best interest to continue to warp and spread misinformation. I am glad we have a Planning board with guts to upset the wealthy handful interested in protecting their elite community. I have seen several peoplein Camana bay who signed petitions against it sipping their coffee and enjoying all it has to offer (which is all they objected too). I think ES is a similar sort of creature, the protestors made all this noise but when it actually doesn’t cause global warming and throw the moon out of orbit you will accept and enjoy it.
Boy i tell you some of these people will sell there sole for the almighty dollar. Trust me any one that was here during IVAN should and will always remember what happen to South Sound and up till today South Sound still dont look the same I dont care what they do out there .No one shouldnt support this project Hurricane season is here and i havent seen nothen that any man has built that Mother Nature can bring down.
Where is Alden? Where is Ezzard? Where is Arden? The silence is deafening!
I think they are planning who will be Primer or Deputy Premier, and strategizing how to possibly win the next election.
A flip of the same coin! The system needs revamp!
You are showing your true colours, Libertarian. You are trying to spin this against the Opposition without saying that you oppose the project. Why aren't you demanding to know why McKeeva didn't stop it? He's the guy with the power. Answer: because you are a spin doctor for McKeeva.
If I spin the gig against everybody – so be it! I kiss up and support no politician. It is all about the issue, and thus far, not one politician do I hear or see standing up for South Sounders.
Dont you mean where is Ellio, Where is Mike where is Perlina where is Jonathan – oops sorry forgot cant count good ol Johnny anymore he got a cushy Government job since he lost the election.
I think it was a poor reflection on the chairman of the board as well as on the developer and Mr. Connolly. I was present and I'm sorry to say that in my opinion it was not a fair hearing. The chairman tried to shut down the opposers in a very combative manner and initially appeared to be disinterested in what the lawyer representing the opposers had to say. To paraphrase, the chairman said at one point, "I am the chairman of this board and I will decide that this hearing will proceed today." This was during one of his many crude interruptions of the opposers' lawyer who was presenting a case to have the meeting adjourned until the Coastal Works licence had been approved by Cabinet – which by the way is the normal proceedure. I feel the decision to approve this application was made before the board even began the meeting yesterday. Such a shame that the will of acommunity can be ignored for the all-mighty dollar.
The saddest part is that we won't know know just how right the opposers were until the damage has been done! I pray for all our sakes that they are wrong!
Perhaps now that this has been approved, the National Conservation Law can be passed – i think this application approval was all that was holding up tabling the NCL in the LA
The NCL won't be approved yet remember Shetty & East End Dock proposals. Mckeeva and his fries will be gone from power and the NCL will not be passed, it's just not in their best interest.
It is clear as day, the local people, the expats, and the Caymanian people in their small communities, are without representation in the Cayman Islands. We haven't heard anything from Ezzard Miller, Alden Mclaughlin, and Arden Mclean. But how odd that the moment you here of dredging in their small communities or adjacent their homes, they pick up against it like lice! Clearly, the South Sound community were on their own against the developer! Burns and company, well knew from the start that the people of the community did not count! The meetings were to only prevent the opposition they were expecting. This is so sad. I am all for development, don't get me wrong. But I don't understand why this current government could play a blind eye to the South Sound Community. This is just wrong! The entire political system needs to be revamp and a more democratic government that will represent not only the country as a whole, but individuals, is seriously needed. Since the UK has already mandated a new Constitution for these islands, I can't see why they can't have it amended and ensure political reformation. The party system looks out for party members and their interest only – not the people's interest.
This just goes to show that you should not have people on the CPA who are currently invovled in the building industry whether as merchants or tradesmen. There is an inherent bias towards approving developments which conflicts with their duties on the CPA.
You are discussing the concept of "conflict of interest" what as of yet has not been dealt with in this locality.
It creates a ripe environment for corruption, don't you think?
Excellent news. This will be a good, unique development. I think the opposition was overblown, and its good to see that there is still some progressiveness here.
Relax people, this will look good, and will add an interesting feature to that part of the island.
This is why we have a planning department / CPA so two things can't happen;
1.) Developers can't go build any and everything they want on their property without checks and balances.
2.) Objectors (regardless of how many) can't hold up a project with baseless claims.
Thumbs up for process beind utilized as it was intended. I think it would be unfair for the objectors to say their view wasn't heard as it certainly took front row on this site and many other forms of media.
The objectors views may have been heard, but it went through one ear and came out the next! They could have cared less for what the majority of the community favors.
majority does not matter!!….they need actual reasons to stop development apart from their selfish fears about protecting their property values……
the planning board has made its decision….take your medicine
The same reasoning is given by McKeeva…."It does not matter what the majority want or the law states if they cannot convince me, and the can't no matter how good their objections, then I will do what I want!"
do unto others what you would want them to do unto you
How can we get this overturned? What do we have to do to prevent this from happening? There must be something.
Any concerned millionaires with beachside property should want to organize a legal fund and seek a court injunction to protect their water front from the stench and tea-coloured leaching which will surely follow in the days ahead. It's not all that complicated. Chop chop!
Make an application for judicial review of the Central Planning Authority's decision – but this must be done within 3 months of the date of the decision. See Order 53 of the Grand Court Rules.
However, it is important to note that the court cannot compel the CPA to decline permission by this process, the court can only (if the objectors' application is successful) quash the decision and direct that the CPA reconsider its decision within certain proper parameters. In practice, if an application for JR is successful, the CPA may be persuaded to come to a different view. It may be worth a shot.
I think this is an absolute BRILLANT idea! Now who was in charge of the opposition in the first place should take this idea and run with it! Start now! There is a short timeline of 3 months. Let's do this!
Don't just oppose. Do it aggressively! Fight them to the end! At least if you do fight to the end you know you gave it all you had.
You all don't have a chance in trying to get CPA's decision overturned, so don't even try. Mr. Conolly and the developer of ES have done EXTENSIVE research on this project and it was a well put-together presentation and very informative. And besides all of you so called "opposers" are a bunch of hypocrites!!!
One of the objectors to the project wanted to dredge 250 acres of South Sound at 40 ft deep to allow cruise ships to be able to dock at South Sound, you all didn't oppose to that, but when the developer of ES wants to dredge approx. 0.7 acres at 6 ft deep, you all put up a stink about it???? So tell me, why the heck are you opposing ES? To keep South Sound at its current state, broken casaurina trees and all? This development is going to raise your property value. I don't think the developer is going to put up some pyaa-pyaa shacks andcall it a day.
The Governor and British authorities play a more active role in reforming the political system in the Cayman Islands. First and foremost, since they made the call for a new Constitution, I can't see why they can't make another call to amend the document and provide more "checks and balances" and provisions leaning towards "direct democracy" which gives governance and the legislation of laws more into the hands of people. Sometimes I can't blame those who would want for us to be annexed to Canada or some other world economic power, and cut clean from the UK, because to me, as watchdogs, they are not doing a good job.
thank you mr thumbs down
Appeal the decision of the CPA
Share your concerns with your MLAs – Cabinet still has to decide on the Coastal Works license. If they turn that down – then the CPA decision will be invalid.
Another "One flew over the Cuckoo's nest"
People, just look at the names on the CPA Board and answer me one question: Did you expect a different outcome?
Shame on the CPA, big people without a say of their own!
Like every thing else on this Island….the ordinary people do not count…only the group of cronies who have an "in" with those on the boards!!
Its time that McKeeva and all the UDP, along with the "cronie filled" boards step aside and let people who have the interest of the future of The Cayman Islands take over.
This is a downright crying shame as if anyone should say how they want their community developed, is the residents of that community, and not those who stand to make millions from the destruction of that community.
"time will tell" but it will be too late when South Sound is not the picturesque community it is now, all because of the few selfish, greedy people who will gain from this development.
I wonder if the people involved in this development know how unpopular they have made themselves, but I suppose they dont care as their pockets will be happy – Shameful!
I sympathize with you about a party replacement, but I ask, WHAT PEOPLE WILL WE REPLACE THEM FOR??? If the UK authorities here can't do the right thing, but favors the only option of canceling democracies that benefits the special interest, then we are screwed, and it won't be for long, we are – SOLD OUT!
I hope this is not surprise to anyone….it is not to me…just yet another HUGE disappointment that in Cayman only the voices and desires of the wealthy and their front men are ever heard. And to add salt to the wound, none of these developments are of any benefit to Caymanians, except again, the wealthy few. Oh well….we have lost this fight and Mother Nature is now on her own, but trust me, I know she will win in the long run even though I may not be around to see it. I can remember a lot of rebuilding after Ivan so buyers into this project beware…and to those of you who have fought for South Sound….God bless.
We d**d now!
Lets hope the weather remains clear…….forever…(sigh, roll eyes)*******
YES YES YES YES YES, omg this is such great news, thanks you guys for such great work, i shows what perserversance through adversity can do, exellent news,
Excellent news! Well done to all involved with the project!
This is absoulutely disgusting and goes to show you that money talks.
I am in complete disbelief and saddened to hear this news.
Finally!!! Something going ahead. Good news for all of us in the construction industry!
You've got to find someone to buy them yet…..don't count your chickens before they get run over!
This is such a sad day for Cayman, and a very, very poor reflection on the developer and Mr Connolly. The people spoke, and they responded with the one-fingered salute.
The love of money is the root of all evil. Here we see it personified.
RIP Cayman Environmental Protection (if you ever really actually existed).
It is sad to see the short term wealth of a few being earned at the expense of the longterm well being of the country and future generations.
A very sad day indeed.
This is just plain foolishness. Shame on everyone involved!
This is why I can't understand how many people would belittle the United Nation's appeal to have the Overseas Territories, educated about their options and the right to self-determination. Because I feel if we were ANNEX or CEDED to Canada or some other superpower, they would be ruling usDEMOCRATICALLY alot better!
Opps… I'm so sorry to step on everybody's toes, but are we a democracy or a conditional one?!
Lib, that's the most sensible thing you've ever said…and look at all the thumbs down that you're getting. A real shame. Canada is where it's at – the number one country in the world bar none.
Capitalisation does not make a bad point better. It just makes a bad point in a more annoying and ego-centric manner.