Cabinet has turned down an application by a development company to build overwater bungalows in a protected marine area of Little Cayman.
The application went before Cabinet on 15 Feb., according to a brief summary of the meeting minutes, released publicly today.
Peppercorn Investments Ltd., owned by William Maines, Matthew Wight and Naul Bodden, had applied to develop a $34 million resort that would include building a 450-foot-long dock – to replace the existing 125-foot-long dock – along which would be built 19 one-bedroom bungalows, similar to over-water cabins seen in island holiday destinations like the Maldives and Bora Bora.
The Department of Environment had recommended that Cabinet reject the application, “based on the principle of prohibiting construction and establishment of habitable structures in a Marine Protected Area”.
The proposed resort at Kingston Bight also includes an on-land element, with eight two-storey and single accommodations, a swimming pool, spa and gym, and a restaurant, which was approved by the Development Control Board, following a meeting in January.
The plans for the overwater part of the development led to opposition from several quarters, including from the National Trust, which launched a petition against it, and the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, as well as from local residents of Little Cayman.
The Compass has reached out to the developer for comment.
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So pleased that a good decision was made here. Let us hope that common sense continues to prevail going forward. Let’s now develop a proper plan for development and maybe look at what is happening on our roads in Grand Cayman…..
It is beyond ridiculous that a developer expected that he could be approved to build in the Marine Reserve in Little Cayman. Thankful that the cabinet shut them down.
Ian from Little Cayman