According to the agenda for a meeting of the Central Planning Authority to be held on March 13, 2024, dozens of persons have raised objections to an application by Butler Development Group to demolish the existing 21 apartments and pool at Aqua Bay Club Condominiums on West Bay Road and construct a ten storey building in its place. Objectors cited several reasons, including the height of the building, its location on or near a turtle nesting site, and possible beach erosion.
Regarding the proposed building, one objector said: “My objections centre around the inappropriate size of the proposed building relative to the size of the property and the style of the surrounding complexes, and the negative environmental impacts of the proposed development.”
The objector added:
While the proposal is within the site coverage restriction when excluding paved areas, it is clear from the submission that the mass and scale of the proposed redevelopment will leave the property looking overdeveloped and out of alignment with the neighbouring complexes and private homes.
The property is not a large parcel, particularly when compared to neighbouring complexes, and the development proposal is not taking that into consideration appropriately.
The objector continued:
The location and size of the building will disrupt the horizon view as you travel the north end of the beach and further reduce views of the beach from the road side. The building will create another literal and figurative barrier to the beach.
The height of the proposed building will create a negative visual Impact for neighbouring properties and negatively Impact daylight/sunlight exposure.
Regarding other impacts on the environment, the Department of Environment (DoE) noted in the CPA agenda that “The site is located on a sea turtle nesting beach, and is designated Critical Habitat under the Interim Directive for the designation of Critical Habitat of Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricate), Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and all other species that may occur in Cayman waters including Kemp’s Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) and hybrids (2020).”
Given DoE’s findings, one objector highlighted their “Concern over turtle nesting the next 3 years and in the future” while the property is redeveloped.
Notwithstanding the objector’s point, the National Conservation Council decision letter dated September 4, 2023, contained in the CPA agenda, stated that “The National Conservation Council decided that an EIA is not needed, but that mitigation measures with respect to turtles are secured by conditions.” One of these measures appears to be that the setback would be increased.
Putting their crosshairs further on the environmental impacts, one objector noted, “Concern over erosion similar to that by the Marriott with significant retaining walls planned at Aqua Bay.”
This is an important point to highlight as additional erosion areas have arisen since Marriott, particularly by Royal Palms and Coral Beach.
It is critical to note that, once lost, beach refurbishment is a complex and costly matter to remedy.
As noted by an objector, the cumulative impact is that “Peace and quiet on the beach will be detrimentally affected which currently is an asset of the Cayman Islands.”
The objector added, “It is priceless and beyond one’s ability to quantify.”
The application will be discussed in more detail at the CPA meeting on March 13, 2024, at 10 am in Conference Room 1038, 1st Floor, Government Administration Building, 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman.
