AP: Construction of two private villas inside a national park in Barbuda has sparked the latest environmental legal fight between angry residents and wealthy foreigners seeking to develop the Caribbean island with support from the government.
George Jeffery, a local fisherman and tour guide, and the U.K.-based nonprofit Global Legal Action Network filed a lawsuit Thursday against the government of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
The suit seeks to overturn the construction permit because the island’s Development Control Authority approved the high-end development despite the national environmental department rejecting the proposal twice.
The legal fight comes on the heels of another case in which Barbudan residents and Global Legal Action Network are opposing construction of hundreds of luxury residences, an 18-hole golf course, a beach club and a natural gas storage facility on more than 600 acres (240 hectares) of protected wetland in Barbuda.
In the new lawsuit, Gearóid Ó Cuinn, director of Global Legal Action Network, said, “This small island nation is under-resourced and faces an enormous fight against wealthy foreign developers.”
Ó Cuinn and Jeffery are asking the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in St. Lucia to quash the permit that officials awarded in May 2022.
Officials with Abercorn Trust Inc., which is building the project, could not be immediately reached for comment about the suit, and the government’s Development Control Authority did not return a message for comment.
Construction already has started on the project, which envisions two luxury homes of at least 15,000 square feet each along with swimming pools, tennis courts and a helicopter pad at the site in northwestern Barbuda.
The site covers 114 acres (46 hectares) on the fringes of Codrington Lagoon National Park, a protected wetland that is home to a frigate bird sanctuary, a turtle nesting site and endangered species including the upside-down jellyfish, the West Indian whistling duck and the Barbudan warbler, according to court documents.
“Wetlands are the most effective natural carbon sinks on the planet protecting humanity from climate change,” Ó Cuinn said.
In reviewing the proposal, Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of the Environment said it “cannot recommend approval for this development, nor for any other development in this sensitive protected area.” It said it feared the project would set a precedent for further developments in the protected area.
Sarah O’Malley, a lawyer with Global Legal Action Network, said in a phone interview that the site contains a nearly 100-acre security buffer to keep people out of the area, which includes part of the lagoon.
“They are really sensitive to it because it’s their main source of water, it’s their main source of food,” she said. “Up to this point, it’s been completely undeveloped.”
Jeffery, the fisherman and tour guide, noted in his affidavit the lagoon is a “crucial ecosystem” that serves as a nursery for marine life.
The company that prepared environmental impact statements for Abercorn Trust said that it did not expect “major impacts” on the frigate bird colony given its distance from the site and that no activity is proposed in the lagoon.
Jeffery rejected the statement, saying “since construction began, I have noticed the damage and deterioration being caused to the area.”
O’Malley said a wealthy British investor, Henry Anderson, is the person behind Abercorn Trust. Local media reports, citing Barbuda council members, said Anderson initially claimed the project was for British royalty.
Anderson could not be reached for comment.
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I like the Barbudan’s fighting spirit and tenacity. They aren’t afraid to protect themselves, their environment and take on the financial might of the hoteliers and Gaston Browne backers.
I can’t believe that you have two islands in such close proximity, yet both mindsets are like ‘chalk & cheese’.
On the one hand the Barbudan’s continually fight for what – rightfully – belongs to them, and they are looking to leave Barbuda intact for future generations; and determined that the island will not become a rich man’s playground.
(And I should know that Barbudan’s know about due diligence and determination, because my beautiful partner is second generation Barbudan, and she don’t play when it comes to serious matters – it must be an inherent trait).
And on the other hand, next door in neighbouring Antigua, we accept a lack of transparency; coercive practices; cronyism; nepotism; self-enrichment, and a Prime Minister that walks all over Antiguans, due to his stubbornness, even though he’s wrong on many occasions.
The Honourable Trevor Walker is doing a Marvellous job -, and we need a resolute and like-minded politician to run tings in Antigua.
Don’t tell me some politician or politicians are not having their palms greased with these destructive ‘.developments’. The enthusiasm with which these projects are embraced by central government gives pause for thought. Remember we were told how Barbuda would become such a wonderful place with all these developments in spite of Barbudans not wanting their land to become the play ground of the wealthy. Never mind what they want, they are DERACINATED IMBECILES, so sayeth the ‘ Visionary ‘. Barbudans, fight the good fight, your cause is just and you are not blinded by money as some are. I exhort you to never forget my words in Capital Letters (I do not like, but on this occasion, Needs Must). We Antiguans bark a lot but do not bite, you on the other hand bite. Kudos to you and good luck in your endeavour.
No one should be granted 100 acres in Barbuda and the land should be leased for no more than 25 years. If the developer believes that the projects will be successful, it is worth the restrictions. They will still make their money. Not everything should be sold off.
Exactly. I’d put a 10 or 15 year limit on their leases though- 25 years is too long.
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UPP – the United Progressive Party, this is what the party leadership should be doing, go to the Courts, and slow the Runaway Train(ABLP) Ruling Arm down; especially, as it pertains to these MOU’s signed with China recently.
#do_work UPP!
Kudos to the BARBUDANS!
Fight your fights! At least, you know, that you fought for something!
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Why is this money-grabber allowed to invite interlopers to challenge Antiguans and Barbudans for their lands? We can only imagine what he tells them about the Barbudans, especially and that is just why they are so bold and confrontational. Some of these Permanent Secretaries and other officials in the various ministries need to be taken to the Courts because nothing can be done without their signatures on those document and we are aware that they are being directed by the politicians. The Medical Benefits case should be a reminder to all.
Too many of you simple minded fools would rather make no money and live dollar to dollar. The world is advancing and we can’t think like cavemen anymore.
And simpletons like you @ Truth268, will roll over and accept every and anything that you are being told by a politician without querying them whatsoever.
Case in point, is that people like you believe that Antiguans and Barbudans only purpose in life is to work and serve in the Hospitality Sector. Far from it!
What’s wrong with building a manufacturing base alongside the Hospitality industry?
You definitely sound like the simple-minded caveman.
Oh yes! We ‘simple minded fools’ equates with the sentiments of your cohort on his opinion of the people of Barbuda. The world is advancing to be sure but not always for the betterment of its people. People of your ilk think every living being can be bought. Now you have found out that is not the case you are experiencing a shock to your system. What more of Barbuda do you wish to destroy with your fancy dwellings and golf courses? The former bouncer of cheques does not care one cent.as long as palms are greased bountifully. Enjoy the rape and pillaging of Barbuda’s eco-system but keep this in mind: There is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Remember that.
Well said @ oversee 👏🏾
Strange ppl. This nonsense should not be only a barbudan fight, wake up ppl and fight against these sellouts., every conscious person must rebel against these invaders and the traitors we have within us whose souls are bought with some few silvers.
A people without a land is like a tree without a root.
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