Dart pledges to conserve an ‘acre for acre’

The Dart group has pledged to conserve an acre of natural habitat for every acre it develops in the Cayman Islands in future.

Cayman’s largest landowner has also committed not to commence any new projects until the island’s long awaited development plan – which will provide a blueprint for future land use – is complete.

Jackie Doak, the company’s president of business development, reiterated Dart’s belief that taller buildings should be allowed in certain zones to enable the islands’ development “to go up versus out”.

Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce parliamentary luncheon on Thursday, she said Dart – understood to be Cayman’s single-largest private landholder – is committed to sustainable development.

And she announced the “acre for acre” pledge as a catalyst to help the islands meet the United Nations goal that 30% of its land mass be protected by 2030.

“For every acre that is disturbed, we will commit an acre of untouched natural habitat to be held for conservation,” she said.

Ecologically-valuable land at Barkers, the Central Mangrove Wetlands and in the Sister Islands could be earmarked for preservation under the initiative, she said.

And Doak laid down the challenge for others to follow suit.

“We hope our acre for acre pledge is a catalyst for other developers and government to adopt a similar philosophy with future projects and commit to an ‘acre for acre’ when developing untouched natural habitats,” Doak said in an address to business and political leaders at the event at The Ritz-Carlton.

“By the stroke of a pen, whether by voluntary pledge from others or through legislation, this could result in over 30% of the islands’ land mass forever being preserved, exceeding the UN goal for biodiversity.”

Highlighting some 39,000 acres of “untouched terrestrial habitat” beyond what is owned by Dart, government and the National Trust, she said the goal was achievable.

Doak also made the surprising commitment that Dart would not commence any new projects until government has completed the Development Plan.

Dart will, instead, focus on its multiple existing developments, including Hotel Indigo which is expected to open in 2024, and two new office and residential towers at Camana Bay, she said.

She added, “We hope that in Grand Cayman, consideration will be given to increased building heights in designated zones, coupled with a long-term multi-generational plan for a development retreat from Seven Mile Beach, allowing the natural restoration of the shoreline.

“We endorse sustainability and climate resilience,” she added, describing Dart as an advocate for “deeper set backs and increased building heights” to reduce sprawl and allow for retention of open space.