The Government of 
has surrendered one of our most precious rights to "investors" and “developers", both local and foreign. The West End Community has fought a valiant battle to preserve public access to Shoal Bay West,
The Chief Minister boasted at his subsequent press conference that he had warned the management of Cap Juluca that they must remove the security booth on the public road. It’s only obvious function is to stop the public from accessing
It is almost as if we have no Access to Beaches Act.
I feel bad for the children. They will never be able to enjoy what we once had.
welcome to "my" world.
ReplyDeleteThis is what has been going on over in St. Maarten too...for a good while now..
It is criminal as far as I am concerned.
Barbara
I don't know, Don. I've not seen any problem with public access...
ReplyDelete1) Shoal Bay West -- public access just before Trattoria.
2) Maundays Bay -- I just tell the guard (IF there is one) I'm going to the public road. Even on the day after Omar, when they were NOT letting anyone in to Cap Juluca, he let me in when I said I wanted to use the public access to the beach. It has to be because they've been instructed to honor that.
3) Barnes Bay -- between Mango's and the villa beside that.
4) Meads Bay -- where the road curves at Malliouhana
5) Long Bay -- harder to find, but public access is there. The owner of the mansion (forget his name) keeps it up quite nicely, too.
Can't agree with you on this one, Don. Consider this...
When Savannah is developed (hopefully never), it will seem as if there's not much public access. But there isn't much now, just one easy one that I know of.
So let's not blame the developers for everything. Oftentimes, public access is respected and built around. Instead of dense brush, you have a development on either side of the access.
P.S. Why does everyone post anonymously? Is this all ex-pats who are afraid of losing their residency here? I'd love to know more about this. It scares me, so I post anonymously. But it's not good when you can't stand behind your words.
Anonymous above who thinks we don't have a problem, try the following:
ReplyDelete1) go park on the private property next to Mango's on a day when they have a wedding and are using THEIR private property for parking.
2) Tell Viceroy you want to use the designated access that runs behind their house trailers for workers and across what used to be bush and is now villas. Or the public access that was just east of the dolphins and is now villas. You can not get on their property.
3) Ask your LOCAL neighbor to just drive past the guard AND the greeter ALWAYS at the gate at Cap Juluca without stopping. After he/she is chased and stopped, tell the guard you're going to park at the center access by Blue. AFTER they refuse you entry, go to the West and try to park there.
4) Meet me some day on the WEST end of Meads Bay - AFTER you have walked the mile or so from the ONLY access (actually parking for the spa)at the east end.
5) Sillerman MIGHT not stop you from crossing his private property, but don't bet on it! The ONLY access here is Oliver's steps - which he allows you to use.
I'm not trying to be smart-mouthed here at all - it's just that this is an on-going problem for years that the West End has been fighting. As long as the developers/hotels get away with it, they will see how far they can push it - and who can blame them if they're not stopped? All these business are selling "upscale" and "private", and the last thing they want is Bobo Johnny showing up on "their" beach to sit and lime and listen to a few tunes. And this is only the West End - it's happening everywhere. Also, I disagree that Don - or anyone - is blaming the developers/hotels. The government needs to be the watchdog here - and they are doing nothing. Just my opinions.
Beaches are an important natural space. I am sure Anguilla cannot afford a shortage of public beach areas, since Anguilla is small to begin with.
ReplyDeleteIf public entry to the beaches is cut off then Anguilla will suffer .
Shortage or natural space can contribute to inactivity and obesity. The beaches provide opportunities for physical fitness and health.
Pysical activity at beaches can promote positive youth development and help reduce youth violence, crime, drug abuse, etc. Anguillians must be allowed to enjoy what belongs to them and usage of beaches are a protected right.
Beaches can promote economic vitality for all.
Access to beaches is necessary for equal justice and democracy. Public access to the beaches must benefit Everyone. Anguilla must struggle to keep public access to beaches. It is the right of future Anguillians. The right to use and access beaches must not be taken away from future generations. It is giving the future generations hope. All people of Anguilla are entitled to the good life on the beach. Hope Anguillians never lose sight of their right to use and take care of one of their most precious resources
Beach access is very important. Once upon a time, we could rely upon using the path or road that had been used for "a hundred years". That is no longer valid, apparently. (Whatever happened to "adverse possession" or "prescriptive easement"?) It does not only apply to beaches. As more and more of the undeveloped lands are being developed, there results problems of access for utilities, etc. Don is quite right in bringing up the subject. Why can't the government come up with a road plan? Our little Anguilla is nowhere as complicated as places elsewhere that have comprehensive plans in place, not just for what is, but for the future, as well.
ReplyDeleteSome entreprising entrepreneur (but I repeat myself :-)) should just buy a beachfront lot and, horrors, pave "paradise" and put up a parking lot. Charge a parking fee and provide free beach access. Problem solved.
ReplyDelete