The recent unveiling of the new $11 million Marea luxury villas project on Little Cayman has sparked debate on social media about increased development on the eco-sensitive Sister Island.
However, the developers behind the project, which has been approved by the Planning Board for the Sister Islands, say the villas are being sustainably designed with a view to preserving the natural attraction of Little Cayman.
The project, which is spearheaded by the Tibbetts family – owners of the Little Cayman Beach Resort and Reef Divers, will be located adjacent to the existing properties in Blossom Village.
A recent post from RealLife Caribbean’s Instagram account triggered concern on Facebook as the commenters contended that development should be better controlled.
The post, which linked to a Marea featured article, stated that the project is expected to break ground in the summer of 2023 with an estimated two-year construction schedule.
Six units have already been sold, it said, adding that the remaining four units are priced from $2.5 million.
The unveiling of the Marea project appears to have reopened the discussion on development on the Sister Islands with some commenters on social media expressing disappointment that landscape of Little Cayman was changing as fast as it has on Grand Cayman.
“It’s so sad. Little Cayman was the one I was hoping would never change,” one commenter wrote, expressing a desire for the smaller of the three islands to remain untouched.
Another chimed in with, “They’re planning on destroying all. You know that Island feeling that you get because you’re living on an island. I’m sure you know Grand doesn’t feel like that no more. So it’s time for them to move on to destroy the other two.”
The Cayman Compass reached out to Michael Tibbetts, CEO of JEM Worldwide, the owner and operator of Little Cayman Beach Resort and Reef Divers, Cayman Brac Beach Resort, Cobalt Coast Resort, for a response to the concerns.
We are awaiting his comment.
Area cleared
Work appears, based on information from Little Cayman residents, to be ready to commence as land for the project has already been cleared.
Commenters on the project took aim at the cost of the units, claiming it puts ownership out of the reach of Caymanians, a complaint that has been growing across the islands as affordable options for housing dwindle locally.
“I don’t understand why we did not hear from Planning. That is too much too fast for Little Cayman…. 2.5 million. Who we building for?” another stated.
The project was approved last June by the Development Control Board with specific conditions from the Department of Environment for the developers to protect turtles during nesting season and submit a plan for approval by the DoE for turtle-friendly lighting.
There were no objections listed on the application, which had been filed under the name Sister Islands Development Ltd, that was approved for 10 houses, a pool, pool cabana, fitness centre, two entry cabanas, two LPG tanks, two diesel generators and a wall. A dock was also included.
The Tibbetts family has partnered with Arch and Godfrey for the Marea project.
In its prospectus, Arch and Godfrey said that the 2,900-square-foot villas have three-and-a-half bathrooms, with two master bedrooms – one upstairs and one downstairs – providing space for two families.
The kitchen is equipped with energy-efficient appliances, according to the prospectus, and each villa also comes with an outdoor kitchen and dining space.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify that the project’s approval was granted by the Planning Board for the Sister Islands and not the Central Planning Authority as was initially stated.
Related Videos
This will go as all other development goes. Denied at first. Ability to appeal in 6 months. Approval. Something is weird with the way that goes all the time.