GRENADA FOR SALE! By Sandra C.A. Ferguson

CAVEAT

The following Spice Isle-based message is rather intriguing from the point of view in that there are parallels to how Graeme Hall Sanctuary remains closed while the Advocate, CBC, VOB and the Nation remain silent on how the one-year old DLP regime has said nothing about the fate of the potential National Park, but then Barbados Free Press and the Keltruth blogs have their own suspicions as to why that development has played in such a manner...

Another parallel in the long story from Sandra Ferguson is the fight by Barbados Underground against what many perceive as the over-development of the West Coast - by my carrying her views and comments does not mean I endorse everything she says nor do I accept all she may mention as fait accompli, I have edited some of her remarks for the thin-skinned folk out there who may have a vested interest in the Grenadian project (such as the Barbados-based interests who are also linked to the highly successful Fairmont resorts of Glitter Bay and Royal Pavilion), but here is most of what she had to say;-

Cinnamon 88’s Hog Island – Mt. Hartman Development Project

Since the April 2007 infamous amendment to the National Parks and Protected Areas Act to facilitate the conveyance and sale of the Grenada’s National Park and Dove Sanctuary areas  to real estate speculator, Mike Pemberton and  Cinnamon 88, we the people have heard relatively little about this development.  The amendment elicited protest action nationally and internationally, in the scientific and bird watching communities, since the Grenada Dove is a critically endangered species which is endemic to Grenada.  Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson, Joint Honorary Presidents of Bird Life International’s Rare Bird Club initiated the “Save the Grenada Dove” campaign. 

Via a Sundays with George Grant programme earlier this year, then Minister of the Environment, Sen. Ann David- Antoine, appeared on the programme with a scientist (the expert on the Grenada Dove, we were advised) and a representative of Four Seasons, the hotel management chain associated with the development. All spoke glowingly of the WIN-WIN situation and how the Grenada Dove would be much better off in the new arrangements.  Win-win for whom and for what?  What are the new arrangements?  How are the interests of the people of Grenada protected?

 

Since 1988, the OAS Plan and Policy for a System of National Parks and Protected Areas identified Hog Island, with an area of approximately 70 acres,  as part of the National Parks and Protected Areas systems - a national landmark whose features were to be preserved and held in trust for the enjoyment and use of future generations.  Land use was identified as grazing and recreation and the Theodore family was named as the owners of the Hog Island property.

Mt. Hartman was government property, boasting some of the BEST AGRICULTURAL land in the country, conducive to mechanization.  Most of Mt. Hartman was declared national park area when it was discovered that area was home to Grenada’s endemic and critically endangered bird, the Grenada Dove. 

Re Mt. Hartman, it is interesting to note that the NNP government and the former Governor-General, conveyed OUR PROPERTY to one Miller for the development of a Ritz-Carlton hotel, without a damn cent going into the Treasury.  The NNP government went further and GUARANTEED A LOAN for Miller with a Belgian bank.  Miller drew down on the loan and disappeared with the  title for OUR PROPERTY, leaving Grenada holding the DEBT.

1.    Cinnamon 88’s Plans:

What is happening to the PEOPLE’S PROPERTY?  A visit to the following websites has been most instructive as to Cinnamon 88’s plans for the area:

• www.cinnamon88.com
• www.mounthartmangrenada.com

The www.cinnamon88.com  website describes the Grenada development as Mt. Hartman Estate - a 400 acre southerly coastal tropical woodland development incorporating 55 private island residences, 115 beach front marina and golf course villas, 18 – hole golf course, spa, tennis academy and a 124-room Caribbean style hotel. 

A Times Online article by Lorna Blackwood, “ Wealthy Britons Are Discovering Paradise in Barbados and Grenada’’  makes reference to Mike Pemberton’s most famous villa on Barbados’ west coast, Alang Alang.  He has refused many offers to purchase – “It is not for sale!  It is my home and I love coming back here! Every time I return, I have a huge smile on my face when I step through the door!”  I wonder if Mike Pemberton and the Grenadian 20 percenters also understand that many of we the people feel the same way about Hog Island. The article further advises that prices of villas start at USD$3 million, considerably lower than Barbados!!  Twelve (12) plots have already been sold – 

3 to Goldman Sachs executives.  (Didn’t Goldman Sachs go bust in the U.S. financial melt-down?)

Another article, by Frances O’Rourke in Irishtimes.com , “Price of luxury villas in the Caribbean cut by a million” advises that  “Villas in a Four Seasons resort being built in Grenada are now being offered to buyers from USD$2million to USD$12million. The starting price has been reduced by USD$1 million in response to the global credit crunch.” The article advises that 174 villas are likely to be built on the 400 acre Hog Island/Mt. Hartman site.  Purchasers can buy FREEHOLD – A 10 PERCENT PURCHASE TAX MAY BE WAIVED AS PART OF AN ARRANGEMENT MADE THROUGH CINNAMON 88. Cinnamon 88 principals are Mike Pemberton and Robin Paterson.

The website www.mounthartmangrenada.com provides further insight into Mr. Pemberton’s intentions.  There is a detailed  map which shows how the PEOPLE’S PROPERTY has been carved out, complemented by a description of the property:

 

1.1   Hog Island – 86 acres (according to the website):

• Hog Island Residences – This private island (86 acres ) is truly unique with each villa set their own tropical landscape garden of about 0.75 to 1.2 acres with  PRIVATE (?) sandy beaches and for some villas, their own private jetty.
• Hog Island Lots – lots available for sale from USD$2m; villas available for sale from USD$4.5m  
  
  
  
  The area represented as lots is the area that was razed to the ground last year while the furore over the amendment to the National Parks Act  played out.  Mike was certainly in a hurry!!  DID HE HAVE PLANNING PERMISSION TO DO THIS?
  
• Hotel Villas – the EXCLUSIVE nature of Mt. Hartman Estate offers a truly magical destination.  The resort site centres on an EXCLUSIVE (?) bay with great beaches, bordered by protected dove sanctuary and significant mangroves.  Supporting this exclusive property shall be a Tom MacKenzie designed Golf Resort and a adjacent marina, as well as a number of private residences on the mainland and island.
  
  
  
  HOW DO ALL OF THESE CO-EXIST – MARINA AND MANGROVES?  PROTECTED BIRD SANCTUARY AND GOLF COURSE?
  
• Beach Hotel Residences – a limited collection of Hotel Residences to complement the collection of Private Residences.  These villas will be sold freehold.  Lots are available for sale from USD$1m and lots with villas available for sale from USD$2.5m.
•  Beach Club- will include Beach Club Restaurant and Pool Bar.  The website names the bar as ROGER’S BAR. ( See information Restaurants)
• A Private Resident’s Bar – at the edge of a deep and wide natural sand beach away from the resort.

1.2   The Mt. Hartman peninsula is carved out as follows:

• End and western peninsula lots
• Hill top lots
• Hillside lots
• Golf sanctuary lots
• Golf clubhouse lots
•  Golf fairway lots
• Marina lots
• Marina– it appears that the Clarke’s Court Bay Marina is now part of this development
• Estate waterfront lots
• Hotel villas
• 18 hole golf course
• Tennis academy
• Dove sanctuary
• Cliff spa
• Restaurants

Lots range from 10.000 sq. ft to 150,000 sq. ft.

There has been little or no disclosure about this project either by the government or the developers/speculators.  Just prior to elections, we the people noted that a bridge was being built to connect Mt. Hartman to Hog Island.  Several residents in the Woburn area expressed concern that the bridge would negatively affect small businesses in the area since the bridge would hamper the access of the yachties who traditionally supported the community businesses.  Fishermen in particular expressed concern about access to the channel for their boats and access to Hog Island for their traditional Fisherman’s Birthday celebrations.

It was also around this time that I understood, for the first time,  that Hog Island was owned by the Theodore family and that sometime ago, as far back as prior to Hurricane Ivan, an INJUNCTION had been granted to a member of the family who took legal action against the government of Grenada.  He has since passed on.  (God bless his courageous soul!)    It was then that I also understood that the government had not settled the matter of COMPENSATION TO THE FAMILY while everyday, family members witnessed the destruction of the property of their great grandfather!!

The island was agricultural, principally sugar and livestock.  One family member still has animals on the island, free range grazing.  He is probably the biggest livestock owner in Grenada.  He has now been advised by someone connected to the project he has to get off HIS island!!   With the advent of the bridge, his animals were left vulnerable.  Dogs crossed over to the island, via the bridge, attacked and killed many of his animals.  His animals can now also wander off the island.  The last time I spoke to the gentleman, in November, no one had approached him re arrangements for compensation and/or relocation of his animals.

Notwithstanding the fact that Hog Island BELONGED to the Theodore family, it was always a major RECREATIONAL spot for locals, particularly for the communities in the South.  It became even more important when Calivigny Island, became the PRIVATE ISLAND of Mr. Georges Cohen, and  access to its  beaches were denied to the locals.

Roger, a Woburn resident, runs the famous Roger’s Bar. As a young man, some 20 years ago, Roger saw a business opportunity given that the island was a popular picnic and recreational spot.  He BEGAN WITH A COOLER of drinks and gradually expanded to setting up a thatched wooden structure, very rustic and blending well with the environment.  Roger’s Bar has became a hot spot, popular with the locals and yachties who anchor in the area.  There are special events on most week-ends with live bands and all, an opportunity for locals and visitors to mix and mingle, while it is also a significant economic activity in the Woburn area.  Roger’s Bar is named in a number of yachting publications.  Roger says that no-one in tourism ever ask him “how he doing”, “what he selling”, acknowledged his contribution to the tourism/yachting sector or offered support. 

Officialdom now suggests that Roger is squatting, that he has no right on the island and that he is just an obstacle to be cleared out from the path of Cinnamon 88’s multi -million dollar Hog Island-Mt. Hartman project of “progress and development”.  However, it is interesting that Hog Island’s Beach Club plans to name its Pool Bar, ROGER’S BAR. That [is what some would deem as] PIRACY and I hope that Roger gets himself a GOOD LAWYER who is COMMITTED to righting this wrong. 

Just months before the amendment to the National Parks and Protected Areas Act, an interpretation centre was commissioned in the Mt. Hartman national park area with support from the World Bank Dry Forest Project.  We the people understood that the centre was intended to support the development of community tourism around the Grenada Dove, to encourage and facilitate research on the dove and to facilitate the proper management of the park area/dove sanctuary.   

It is useful for we the people to note that Hog Island – Mt. Hartman area is not only home to the Grenada Dove.  It is also part of a MARINE PROTECTED AREA by LAW - SRO 77 of 2001   A Grenada and the Grenadines Wetlands Assessment of September 2006 made the following observation about the significant mangrove stand of the Hog Island area:

• the site is in excellent condition both in terms of mangrove fringe and flora/fauna characteristics. 
• Potential problems may arise with the nearby unmanaged boat moorings and potential development of the island
• The site had the greatest fish diversity in the island of Grenada with 17 fish species observed.
• The area is an EXCEEDING  important area to proactively manage

Who was/is looking after the interests of we the people?  As had become the NORM under the NNP regime, there are MORE questions than answers in respect of Grenada’s mega-projects.

1.    Money Transactions:

·         How much money did Cinnamon 88 pay to the Government of Grenada in respect of these properties, Hog Island and Mt. Hartman?

·         Who did the evaluation?

·         What is the situation in respect of the DEBT guarantee owed by Grenada in respect of Mt. Hartman?

·          Based on information gleaned from the website, we have calculated that the property values based on the sales price is approximately USD$510 million (170 villas x USD$3 m).  We also understand that property transfer taxes have been waived.  How much money is our treasury foregoing – USD$51 m over the next 5 years?

If 12 lots have already been sold, that is at least USD$12 million to Cinnamon 88.  How much has our Treasury earned from this transaction?

2.    Owners and Traditional Users:

·         What is the position in respect of COMPENSATION to the owners of the island?

·         What is the position in respect of the TRADITIONAL USERS of the island – i.e. we the people?  Who or what is looking after our interests?

·         What are the implications for the FISHING LIVELIHOODS of many in the adjoining communities and Grenada in general since this is an important NURSERY area for a number of fish species?

3.    Environmental/Planning Considerations:

·         Did Cinnamon 88 have PLANNING PERMISSION to clear Hog Island?

·         The area is also part of a legislated Marine Protected Area.  Are the plans proposed by Cinnamon 88 COMPATIBLE with a marine protected area and the protection of the mangroves so critical to fisheries and reefs?

·         There are beach areas designated in the vicinity of hotel villas and restaurants area on the Mt. Hartman peninsula - in the vicinity of the newly constructed bridge.  To the best of my knowledge, that is a MANGROVE STAND.   Has Cinnamon 88 been given permission to DESTROY MANGROVES IN A MARINE PROTECTED AREA TO CREATE BEACHES?

·         The DOVE SANCTUARY is now part of the Mt. Hartman development.  If the bridge to Hog Island put livestock at risk, what is there to ensure that there is going to be proper protection of the doves?  Are the doves REALLY PROTECTED?

·         How do Grenadians get access to their own Dove Sanctuary?

·         What arrangements and agreements are in place to ensure that the area that is now the new designated dove sanctuary is not subdivided into villa lots in a later phase of the project?

4.        Social Apartheid:

When one carefully considers the map of the site for the Cinnamon 88 development, a significant and sensitive area is being alienated from the use of we natives.  It is clearly government-sanctioned SOCIAL APARTHEID.

 

How does ALIENATING and DISPOSSESSING we natives in favour of foreign speculators cum developers contribute to progress and development for we natives?  Has the government evaluated a business plan?  How many JOBS?  What TYPE of JOBS and at what SALARY LEVELS?   Do Grenadians have the requisite skills?  What is being done to ensure that Grenadians will be able to benefit from jobs other than as “hewers of wood and drawers of water”?

 When all that should be protected area and national park is passed to the control and ownership of the foreign rich and famous, what is left for we natives to pass on to our children and grandchildren?  If Mike Pemberton’s Alang Alang villa is SACRED to him, why do we natives not have the right to hold certain things sacred?  Why is it that development of the area cannot be of a scale and type appropriate to protecting and enhancing the area as a protected land mark and marine protected area, recognizing the inalienable rights of we natives to own, enjoy and bequeath the area?  Who benefits from making the area the exclusive playground of the rich and famous?  Why does Roger, whose “navel string bury in the area” and who created from scratch an ambiance and activity on the island, have to be pushed out? 

We the people remember a time, not so long ago, when the “wind of change”, then in opposition, mobilized we natives to journey to Hog Island to RECLAIM our island?  We natives remember that our “wind of change” Opposition PLANTED A FLAG on the island IN THE NAME OF WE THE PEOPLE??!!  Was this action reflective of a genuine concern about the interests of we the people or was it just opportunistic, political grand-standing?  

We natives are like elephants.  We have LONG MEMORIES!  We have noted the public utterances of certain officials in the new “wind of change” administration.  These utterances suggest that in this matter of tourism development, the interests and concerns of we natives AGAIN seem to pale in comparison to the speculators.  But, it is early times yet!   Our representatives WILL understand that we the people voted for change and that we standing up for Grenada!!

GRENADA DESERVES BETTER!  WE STANDING UP FOR GRENADA!!