The Central Planning Authority has given conditional approval for the expansion of the Foster’s Republix supermarket in West Bay.
In recently released meeting minutes. the CPA board said, “The Authority considered the application and determined that planning permission would be granted as the application complies with the Department of Planning Regulations.”
The CPA’s conditional approval sets out 13 requirements for the Foster’s group to meet in order for final approval to be granted. Each of those 13 points relate to either the architectural drawings of the proposed facility or to the planning department’s building code that will govern the process of expansion.
The work is expected to cost $2.2 million; to achieve this, the new building would be added west of the current structure which would require the joining of the plot of land on which the supermarket is currently built with the immediate two westerly plots.
In addition to joining the plots of the land, Foster’s plan to relocate a public right of way called ‘The Bridge’, which runs along the western boundary of the current Republix site to the revised western boundary of the new site. Additionally, a 103-year-old Caymanian house, the Aldine Franklin Home, which is currently located on the property, will be relocated to a new site in East End.
The relocation of the old home has been objected to by the Department of Environment, with public outcry by way of an online petition which was signed by 1,350 people calling for the house to remain at the current location which was designated as an Historic Overlay Zone.
In its objection, the DoE stated the home represented a part of Cayman’s built history and should be preserved on its original site, to help maintain its genuine cultural significance.
The site on which the house now sits will be converted to eight parking spaces.
Objections fall outside the scope of CPA’s powers
On 15 Dec., when Foster’s managing director Woody Foster last appeared before the CPA in relation to this application, he urged the board to make its decisions in line with its legal remit and not to cave in to social media pressure.
“They don’t have anything to do with anything, other than putting their names on social media posts,” said Foster. “We should be pulled around by our nose by social media posts? That’s not the right thing to do.”
When returning their decision, the CPA said, “The Authority acknowledges the comments from the Department of Environment but would note that the content of those comments regarding the Development and Planning Law and Regulations falls outside the remit of that agency.
“Further, the administration of the Development and Planning Law and Regulations is the direct remit of the Central Planning Authority whose members need no education regarding the same from the Department of Environment.”
The CPA added that is is satisfied with Foster’s proposals to relocate the home to another location, as well as relocate the public right of way access provided by ‘The Bridge’.
Related Videos
I would like the CPA to educate the public on what the purpose of the historic overlay is in the law if its not to, you know, protect hundred year old sites within that overlay?
So sad to see history destroyed for revenue. This is happening far too often in Cayman anymore. Better be careful because not all people want concrete cities, new structures and a Waikiki/Miami Beach environment. Keep it up and you’re going to succeed in killing the charm and atmosphere that used to attract so many tourists.
I don’t think that the Department of Environment should have any jurisdiction over this house. It was sold legally by members of the Franklin family and the DOE and National Trust should realize that they can’t save every old home on the Island. I think if the Fosters are good enough to let the DOE or National Trust have the home, then they should be the ones to have the expense of moving it. There is another home next door, the Bothwell home, which is basically the same age and has been featured on more magazines than the Franklin home ever was, so before that is sold also, why doesn’t the DOE or National Trust buy that to secure that as an historical building. As far as I am concerned we already have the old nurse Leila home as an historical building in West Bay which I believe no one ever visits. Best of luck with your expansion Fosters!