AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Environment Injunction against road served

Dave Mitchell and Grand Belizean Estates

Firstly if what you say is true and the correct permits have NOW been applied for and issued for the building of this road, its great.
Why wasn't this done initially? Why do developers need to be taken to court before following the laws of the country where they choose to live?

Secondly to clarify a few of your "misconceptions"…..

The court case has not been thrown out and is on going.

Construction on the road was started without approval from any government agency.

There was not even a plan. - a letter signed by the whole of the town council including the mayor states that they had not seen or approved a "proper plan". Channel 5 quote both Juan Alamilla and Frank Panton (consultant for Grand Belize Estates) agreeing that there is concern that the project was started without an EIA.

In regards to the current plan that you say has been approved - are you going to publish it? Only 5 culverts! What diameter?
Publish these stringent requirements so we can all make sure they are adhered to.

When I voted UDP I believed it was the best thing for San Pedro to have Jr and Elsa looking out for the islands interest. I don't believe that any more. The chance of having more damage to Ambergris from the remainder of there terms is a hazard to the island. I have lost confidence in them and would like to see a new election. A referendum for the recall of our elected officials is a constitutional right in Belize.

I have lost total confidence in our mayor and our area rep/minister. (to put it politely) I do believe most of the town councilors are trying to do right, but do not have the final say. There is a meeting tonight on sustainable tourism/development with the Ministry(er) of Tourism. That right there is an oxy moron if I ever heard one!

Travelinman I think you probably meant that tongue in cheek,
but just to clarity. I don't think that there is a single soul living back there its just marsh and mosquitos, but i can see how one might get the impression from the ad in the Sun this week.

Elbert you have been invited time and time again to walk through the subdivision roads that you claim are "just marsh and mosquitos". You have been shown more than enough evidence that GBE is not marsh, and yet to continue to close your eyes to the truth. Go to the website and watch the aerial video of the GBE subdivision that was filmed on October 16. It was specifically filmed that day because we had just had several days of heavy rain and wanted to show just how much of the subdivision was dry, and how little standing water there was even before roads are graded and completed and any drainage is in place. The whole point was to show the elevation of the ground, in the heart of rainy season at its absolute worse. Sure you can see some areas of standing water if you look for them...that's the whole point.
They are the exception and not the rule.

Now that there will be road access for the property owners of all those subdivisions, there will be the opportunity for many more people to live back there. Not everyone can afford the beach front. Would you prefer that those who can't afford the beach front, not have the option to purchase and live elsewhere on the island?

I'm a Belize Tour Guide and do birdwatching tours back there reguarly.
In past years I've walked it with archeologist in very close inspection and I've be there several times lately.
I know exactly what its like. Their are some high spots raised above the water line and even some paleolithic rock outcroppings,
but still its a marsh wetland. The film is deceptive and your aware of that, any idiot can tell you've dredged up an access to the parts that aren't flooded and have the gall to show coconut trees and beach saying your selling Belize Jungle when what you have is mangrove littoral forest. Your a Con Man preying on the less fortunate people of Belize.

This project may, or may not, be the answer but Belizeans who are less fortunate do need to have access to affordable land here on the Caye. Where ever that may be it will involve altering the landscape in that area which in all likelihood will be littoral forrest, marshland and include Mangroves. You, I, and just about everyone else who lives here lives where Mangrove, Marsh and littoral forest was.

The vast majority of these areas must be preserved but some must be given up. Our island population is too dense and people need the opportunity to own something themselves. I would rather see a project like this IF done properly benefit Belizeans (and obviously the developer) than a multimillion dollar resort complex that will never be filled/sold and if by a miracle it is, then Belize is lost.

Phil,
The thread is about the injunction to stop the road and I think this guy has successfully got us (you and I) off on a different subject.
it was;
Dear Members,
In an attempt to force Dave Mitchell and Grand Belizean Estates to follow the correct procedure and not destroy any more of the islands ecosystems whilst building the E/W road to Grand Belizean Estates development, he has been served with an injunction to stop any further building of the road. The focus of the injunction is that the environmental impact had not been assessed, no plans agreed upon nor the correct permits obtained for constructing the road. As with any development the laws of our country must be upheld to ensure that development is carried out in the most sustainable way.
This is due to be heard in Court tomorrow.
as I understand it the new day in court is Friday!

I would like to add a little something to this. Phil I agree with what you are saying but here is the problem. What you are saying is a dream. Ask JG how many of the lots have been sold to Belizeans out of the 12 million that are already sold.

They are not creating affordable land for Belizeans they are doing it for gringos. And I seriously doubt anyone will build there other then a few shanties for a band a renegade drug traffickers and robbers at least in the near future.

I guess the bottom line is build whatever you want but at least have the decency to do it legally and don't come on this message board and lie about the intention and then complain when you get called out.