Pinero's Pear Tree Bottom hotel could be in trouble
May 17, 2006
A judge yesterday quashed the environmental licence permitting the construction of the Spanish-based Pinero Group's 1,918-room Bahia Principe Clubs & Resorts at Pear Tree Bottom in St Ann.
However, the verdict has been stayed for 21 days, in order to grant the attorneys representing the company time to review the written judgement of Justice Bryan Sykes, who presided over the matter, as well as to develop grounds for a possible appeal.
During the 21 days in which the verdict is stayed construction may continue on the hotel.
In delivering his judgement in court yesterday, Justice Sykes outlined that the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) did not adequately consult with the residents and stakeholders in Pear Tree Bottom before granting the environmental licence to the developing company. This, Sykes said, was evident due to the absence of the marine ecology report in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) made public before construction of the hotel began. Sykes also maintained that little evidence existed to suggest that the marine report had been supplied to all the relevant organisations.
Due to the lack of the marine ecology report, which explores the benefits of the flora, fauna and geographical features of the area, the judge said, NEPA and the NRCA allowed the public to evaluate the hotel's construction on the basis of insufficient information.
"The people of Jamaica are entitled to know about the project and to know accurate information.It is difficult to see how the NRCA and NEPA consulted in a suitable manner," Justice Sykes said....
Author: Vaughn Davis
Source: Jamaica Observer
