This gate is no longer in place.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has stepped in as lawmen yesterday threatened “arrests” in order to deter workmen from rebuilding a controversial gate that would prevent vehicular access to beaches at Pearns Point.
Spencer’s intervention follows a briefing from Development Control Authority (DCA) officials, Minister of Agriculture Hilson Baptiste and the minister responsible for the DCA, Chanlah Codrington.
“I got an idea of what transpired,” he said, referring to Wednesday night’s demolition of the contentious barrier, under the supervision of Codrington.
The talks, with “all parties involved,” are scheduled for Wednesday, according to Acting Chief Town and Country Planner Frederick Southwell.
He told OBSERVER Media he’s looking forward to the meeting so that “everyone can be singing from the same hymn sheet,” since the project would ultimately bring “much economic benefit and employment to Antiguans.”
This echoes the sentiments of Orange Limited which is developing the multi-million dollar gated community at Pearns and the company which erected the gate in an effort to stop the illegal sand-mining taking place, to the detriment of the five popular beaches there.
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i think when the government decide to sell the water front land…it should be clearly written that the beach is not for sale.the Pm always wrap himself up in petty issues after making rash decisions. Since balwin took office as pm, i’ve never seen him out of issues such as these…i’m wondering if he is a guy who love trouble as them neggar would say….Come on pm…when u guys sell the lands dont sell the beach, cause if the owners move to court they would win the case and still get to errect the gates…but ppl might still be able to go to the beach but they must present an identification upon entering…U and the distructive team mash up Antigua….. mek awe haffo run from home
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Nevertheless the beaches remain public up to x number of feet from the high water line. So if Antiguan Abroad is correct and you get stranded at sea and make your way to a beach, I guess you’ll be stuck there!
Dumb system and in this case a real big shame for the locals who enjoy their beaches!
Other than some employment, ‘all inclusives’ and ‘gated communities’ don’t benefit the economy, community, local enterprise and environment like they could. Totally dependent on their own law, they show short term and selfish greed in my opinion.
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There is no right of public access to the beaches that is codified in law.
This is a common misunderstanding.
As a country which is so dependent on tourism, we should be trying to ensure that the rules are clearly established so that our development and our access rights can both continue unimpeded.
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Is the PM now running DCA. My dog does my barking
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If sand mining is an issue, then deal with the sandmining. Blocking public accesses to beaches is illegal as well, and as we all know; two wrongs do not make a right.
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Sandmining might be just an excuse so the ‘owners’ can command who is allowed to use the beautiful PUBLIC beaches!
Disgusted at the arrogance of putting up a gate in the first place!
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Very relieved this barrier is now pulled down. Disgusted at the arrogance of putting one up in the first place! Beaches are public and access to them should remain so.
Sandmining might be just an excuse?
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Gated communities are known to operate eventually as a law onto themselves when established and residents move in, regardless of which country, or worse-still – island – they are in, they become very insular. Together with what has been said, that the gates were put up to prevent illegal sand-mining, one can most definitely look out for actions of similar concern to become commonplace regardless of how “much economic benefit and employment to Antiguans” this gated community brings.
Ten years down the line from now if that long, take a look back and observe how many more “situations” would be manifest by then.
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Why even bother being PM when your Knight sold the so-called “country” ???
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