Two aerial photographs published on CNS on Monday (18) show the extent to which landowner Rene Hislop under RC Estates has reclaimed land for the residential development on the waterfront in South Sound.

The South Sound activists, mainly residents there, have been trying to stop environmentally destructive coastal developments in South Sound since 2010. This was to oppose the Central Planning Authority (CPA) who approved the Emerald Sound development. The plans included the creation of an inland marina, dredging of South Sound, canals cut through South Sound Road and a 1,000 ft. long 20 ft. high bridge.

The CPA also gave approval to the removal of a 50ft mangrove buffer designation along 2,000 feet of coastline, filling of the buffer area, and construction of a 9ft high seawall.

The activists formed a group called “Protect South Sound” (PSS) and they have appealed the two CPA decisions.

Alister Ayres, former government chief surveyor, reportedly said the approval was due to an incorrect interpretation of the land survey regulations presented to the CPA when the developer made his application. The director of the Department of Environment (DoE) had also noted that sea boundaries cannot be fixed.

Despite concerns from the DoE the CPA has consistently ignored them.

Even though PSS filed an appeal against what they believe is an erroneous decision and to have the case against the development heard it hasn’t happened.

Someone has either misplaced the appeal or it has gotten lost and it is lying gathering dust whilst part of South Sound continues to be “filled.

In October 2012 Justice Charles Quin heard both parties in the dispute over whether RC Estates have the right to remove 50 feet of recovering mangrove buffer that runs 2,000ft along the coastal lots of a proposed development in the South Sound.

However, before Justice Quin could make his decision both sides made a tentative agreement and the dispute was withdrawn.

At the time I thought the PSS had made a very serious mistake and this has been proved.

What is appalling is how the CPA can be allowed to continually ignore DoE concerns without providing any reasons, misinterpret the law and when it is appealed nothing happens.

The consequences for Cayman are exactly what the PSS have said:

“This has set “a frightening precedent that may allow land owners along Cayman’s entire coastline to build out to sea far further than the law actually permits.”

Every layer of fill that is dumped into the ocean continues to negatively impact the marine environment.

Even if the new National Conservation Law is approved forcing the CPA to obey environmental issues it will come too late to help South Sound.

Appalling, indeed!

See http: www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/ags-failure-to-act-results-in-loss-of-mangroves/