Newspaper article on Mosquito Public Hearing
Mosquito Island Public Hearing
Beacon Newspaper article on Public Hearing, March 6, 2008. PDF file
Update on Public Meeting
Approx 80-100 people attended the public meeting in North Sound that was ran by Town and Country planning. Here is a summary of our observations on the meeting. As a business owner, and developer, I would be saying exactly what they were saying. As an interested BVI Belonger or Resident, I would have concerns.
The summary of recommendations should be available by email from TCP. It was asked why people have not heard much from TCP about this project and the developers said that they had made available 40-50 CD"s and summary documents on the proposal, but Town and Country Planning had said there was none available, as they had gone to first come first served and anyone with any concerns could contact the developers.
There is another 14 days to write in your concerns. At a previous meeting in November the largest local concern was that all previous resorts have not had a local person in senior management since 1964. The developer said that there were no guarantees that locals would get senior jobs, but they would employ on peoples merit.
The gentleman who ran the meeting for the developer side was called Richard Brown. Clive Petrovic did the Environmental Study. They claim there will be very little change as to what is already there. Many of the existing buildings will just be refurbished. Some will be knocked down and moved higher up from the water, as Hugo had a 4 foot storm surge which inundated the buildings. The main change is that there will be a private home for Richard built. It is going to be mostly timber construction on concrete slab, Tahitian style. The mangroves will be maintained and new ones planted.
On Manchioneel Bay there will be a beach bar, restaurant open to the public as well as nature trails and access to the salt pond, which they claim they are going to restore, however when questioned, they have no actual plan on what they are going to do. There will be quite a few swimming pools. There will be tennis courts, squash courts and a cinema. There will be several 2 and 3 bedroom villas with study and some with pools.
When they were questioned about public access to the beaches they kept saying over and over "as per BVI law, Manchioneel Bay will be open to the public, except for when there is a private party on" and they continually skirted around whether access would be available to any other beaches etc. There was mention many times when the question of access came up that the area around the workers accomodation would be open at times to schools etc to demonstrate the water recirculation programs etc. Remember that Manchioneel Bay is the bay down in the cut between Virgin Gorda and Mosquito, sometimes unattainable, ad Drakes Anchorage is where most people would logically go. When asked specifically about Drakes Anchorage, it was always referred back to Manchioneel being public access.
They stressed that they wanted to go all green and have zero carbon footprint etc. There is a palm grove on the island that locals have harvested leaves for many years for weaving baskets and hats etc. The palm grove is going to be turned into a preserve site, When questioned whether or not locals would still be able to harvest the fronds, Clive Petrovic stood up and said that although it is going to be a preserve because they will be harvested in a substainable way he could not see a problem with it, but there is nothing in writing.
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From Power Point Presentation at Development
Conceptual Drawings from Public Meeting
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Link to Beacon Article (PDF file) Feb on Development
Link To BVI Standpoint article (PDF) Feb 2008 on Mosquito
Link to Island Sun article (PDF) Feb 2008 on Mosquito
Stakeholders will soon receive an opportunity to learn about a new development that is proposed for Mosquito Island and to discuss their views with the developers from Ultraway Holdings BVI Limited.
The Town and Country Planning Department is collaborating with the Planning Authority to conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, 27 February. Chief Planner Mr. Louis Potter said it will be held at the Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School at North Sound, Virgin Gorda, from 6 p.m.
“The relevant project documents are currently available for inspection at the Town and Country Planning Department
or from the Virgin Gorda District Officer,” he said.
Based on the existing proposal, the Chief Planner noted, the initial phase of the Mosquito Island Development is scheduled for completion within the next five years.
Mr. Potter told the Department of Information and Public Relations that among other things, the first phase includes construction of a resort, five beach villas, a public beach café with bar, a nature trail through the salt pond, renovation of the existing manager’s house, additional staff accommodations and service facilities, and the cultivation of an organic garden and orchard at Lime Tree Bay.
“The second phase envisions the addition of 15 villas that will be discreetly set into the uplands,” he said.
The Chief Planner added that according to the Mosquito Island Development master plan, the project was inspired by Sir Richard Branson’s global green initiatives and promises to renew and protect the exquisite and diverse landscape of Mosquito Island.
The developers state that it is their objective to clean up the island’s abandoned sites and buildings, conserve its native ecology, revitalize its biodiversity, and develop an environmentally sensitive resort through holistic and indigenous ecological design strategies.
The Town and Country Planning Department works to ensure sustainable development in the British Virgin Islands by promoting the wise use of land, an efficient communication system, and the facilitation of harmonious change while enhancing the Territory’s strong cultural heritage, among other duties. It operates under the Premier’s Office.
Written comments on the proposed Mosquito Island Development project must be received by Wednesday, 5 March, 2008. These should be addressed to: 27 February 2008 Public Hearing Comments, Town and Country Planning Department, 33 Admin Drive, Road Town, TORTOLA, VG1110, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Mosquito Island is a 125-acre island in the North Sound area of the British Virgin Islands, near Virgin Gorda. It was recently purchased by Sir Richard Branson, who plans to turn it into a high-end, eco-friendly, luxury holiday resort.
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