The long-closed Paradise Bar and Grill restaurant in George Town could be given a new lease of life if plans are approved to renovate and enlarge the derelict building.
But fears over the environmental impact of the waterfront development have sounded alarm bells with the National Conservation Council, which says that there is an “unacceptable” risk to the nearby marine area.
The restaurant closed down several years ago and the building itself has been deteriorating due to storm damage. Now, Harbour View Investments is seeking planning permission for a $1.5 million development plan to renovate and extend the existing restaurant, as well for a new sign, seawall and parking lot.
The plans, designed by architect Declan O’Brien, look to replace the restaurant and car park with a new, larger restaurant and create a larger parking lot next door on the vacant lot, which currently separates the derelict restaurant and Eden Rock.
The total built footprint is more than three times the size of the existing one, with the seawall closer to the sea than in the current development.
In its letter to the Central Planning Authority, Harbour View Investments said the proposed renovations “aim to enhance this iconic building, which holds a significant place in the history and culture of George Town”.
It added that the redevelopment will also help efforts to revitalise the capital, catering to tourists and locals, and bring social and economic benefits to the area. The proposed parking lot will help with demand for parking in that location, said the developer, as well as improve the look of the area with beach seating and landscaping.
Environmental concerns
As the site is next to a marine protected area, the application has been discussed by the National Conservation Council, which noted, “The application includes the construction of a new seawall, which would be located between 9 feet and 38 feet from the mean high water mark.
“Because of the very small setback, any excavation into the ironshore in this location is likely to negatively impact the marine environment, particularly through sedimentation that could compromise offshore water quality.”
It added that setbacks are a concern to marine protected areas because debris can be washed into the sea due to storm damage. It pointed out that divers at Eden Rock removed around 500 pounds of rubbish, some of which was likely to have come from the old Paradise site, from the ocean by George Town after a storm in February last year.
The conservation council also pointed out that the proposed development is “extremely vulnerable to climate change and coastal hazards”, with sand having reached across the street in previous bad weather. Seawalls can also worsen the impact of storms, it said, by preventing water from draining away into the sea and causing inland flooding.
The council first provided feedback on the application in May last year, concluding, “the development is too substantial given the risk with this location and the lack of any climate resiliency measures”.
In the most recent agenda, it recommended that the planning application should be refused, saying that “our feedback was not fully taken into consideration” and that “we still believe there is an unacceptable risk to the Marine Protected Area”.
The plan was scheduled to be heard by the board on 9 July but is now expected to be discussed next month.
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Referring to Paradise Bar as “an iconic building which holds a significant place in the history and culture of Geoge Town” is somewhat fanciful hyperbole, which would better describe the George Town Museum, but certainly not this bar and restaurant. Assuredly the renovations and enhancement of this decayed establishment would be welcome, but the developers should work with the National Conservation Council to achieve this.
I totally agree with Trusty2man D is the above comment.
However I must ask if the owner/developer truly has any ethical connection to the property as I can tell from the photos in the article the property has long been neglected. For all of Cayman bravado about the wonders of paradise, this and dozens of other dilapidated buildings across Grand Cayman go far to disprove the island’s vision of a paradise.
Why are this buildings allowed to stand after decades of storm damage? Shame on all of the members of Parliament who allow our island to the so poorly represented to residents and tourists alike.