The Government of Saint Lucia has revoked the controversial leases barring public access to beaches protected by the Queen’s Chain bordering the Cabot Development at Cap Estate, restoring public access to popular beaches that had been prohibited by the long-term leases granted by the previous Allen Chastanet administration.
But the government also insists the move was not intended to and will not hinder the company’s ongoing development plans.
![Aerial view of Marjorie's place and the Cabot development. [PHOTO: Kendell ‘Scady’ Eugene]](https://www.thevoiceslu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Aerial-view-of-Marjories-place.jpg)
From its inception, the deal drew negative public reaction and the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) and the Archaeological and Historical Society (A&H) both publicly opposed the aspects of the deal restricting public access to the beaches and subjecting Amerindian burial sites to possible excavation.
The previous Allen Chastanet-led administration had fully-backed the controversial deal between the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and the Canadian developers for sale of over 300 acres of prime real estate NIC owned at Cap Estate — at rock-bottom prices local developers openly stated they wished they had an equal chance to bid for.
The NIC stoutly defended the deal saying it involved satisfactory profitable returns on the transaction, which were in fact recorded within two years of sale of expensive house lots to foreign clients.
However, there was also much public uproar over Cabot’s decision to restrict public access to the beaches along the protective Queen’s Chain and much public solidarity with ‘Marjorie’ – a blind local vendor who labored for years to develop a beachfront property on the Queen’s Chain, access to which was also effectively denied by Cabot, which allegedly also offered to purchase her property.
The protests were supported far and wide, including a special poem by Barbados’ Mighty Gabby whose song ‘Jack’ with the popular refrain “The beach is mine!’, became a popular ‘anthem’ whenever citizens trekked by foot to the barred area to show solidarity with Marjorie, who’d also turned-down Cabot’s alleged offer to buy her property.
“We have examined the factors and have decided that since Cabot owns over 300 acres of land surrounding those popular beaches, access to the Queen’s Chain will be restored,” said Senior Minister Stephenson King on the programme ‘State of the Nation’ on Choice TV Wednesday night.
As a result, he also pointed out, “Marjorie will not be moved!”
Cabot had said it would provide golf carts to transport members of the public wishing to access the beaches, but Senior Minister King said “public access to the related beaches protected by the Queen’s Chain will not be a footpath, but a full driveway with recreational and parking facilities.”
The senior minister also said the move will not affect the developer’s development plans “as Cabot owns over 300 acres of land surrounding” the affected beaches.
Cabot embarked on a major public relations drive making heavily advertised worthy contributions by way of donations like prosthetic legs to persons with lost limbs, groceries to the underprivileged and other needy causes, under the theme ‘Cabot Cares’.
The Senior Minister acknowledged the positivity of the theme for the company’s worthy giveaways and indirectly urged the company to extend the same to the government’s action.
Former Prime Minister King said, “If Cabot really cares, they will also respect the decision of the government on behalf of the people.”
Explaining why the new administration decided to reverse the controversial leases agreed to by its predecessors, King said, “Government’s decision was not in any way intended to prevent the developers from developing, as we believe that notwithstanding that decision, development can still continue, as they have over 300 acres in a freehold arrangement.”
He added, “We therefore decided that since the company owns all the surrounding lands, beach access must be maintained and the restrictions released.”
According to the Senior Minister who was a part of the previous administration when the unpopular deal was struck, “The patrimony of this country must be preserved, protected and respected – and whereas we are fully committed to investment, we believe that those who come to invest here must understand that the nation’s patrimony must be protected and respected…”
“That’s why,” he explained, “we have decided that people’s access to the beach must not be denied – and why Marjorie will not be moved!”
Sir John Compton must be dancing kotoomba with a bottle of mal Cochon in his hands, singing
ST LUCIA IS NOT FOR SALE
Yes, Representative King, like every son of the soil with the laboo rouge still between his toes is truly responsive to , the thick blood of national sovereignty pulsing in his veins.
Nothing is more repulsive to a St. Lucian who has lived abroad in the intolerance of racial prejudice, to come home to find his access to treasured spots of his childhood fenced off by the bigotry of. big money foreigners-
Bor lanse
Assou lilet-la
Abas caco-a
La-foway
Places whose folklore is passed with sacred solemnity to future generations.
Yes, we love to have foreigners share the bounty of our island home.
However, the arrogant, colonial habit of foreigners disrespecting and plundering the natives of their territory and converting them into slaves has to be chased back to its horrendous 15-18th. Century past.
For centuries, we’ve lived in harmony with our Syrian amigos, Chinese,East Indians. All has melded and matured into the rudiments of a uniquely St. Lucian sovereignty; crafting and adhering to laws and a way of living that is typically ST LUCIAN.
The mango tree of one is the mango tree of all. As much as modern technology has bombarded us with the selfishness of materialism, the laboo rouge between our toes still spurs us to vigorously push all obstacles that come in the way of us possessing and enjoying our beautiful island home.
We hope the actions of Representative King and the St Lucia government is placed in every civics and history text book so the legacy of nationhood can be bequeathed to future generations who will have the guts to chase the million dollar man from coming and make belle bonda
On our SWEET ST LUCIA
Say it loud and clear to them
ST LUCIA IS NOT FOR SALE
I have before me a copy of ‘Golf Digest’ and also a copy pf ‘Travel & Leisure Magazine’ in each, are information on a Company which it’s primary concern is Golfing. Cabot Cliffs & Cabot Links are two of Canada’s finest Golf courses, with one drawback; Winter.
Toronto Entrepreneur Ben Cowen-Dewar believes that he has a solution; a quality Golf Course atop a Cliff in St. Lucia. Cowan-Dewar who had an aerial photo of the Cliffs at Cap in St. Lucia, showed to Mike Keiser, an American Billionaire and Golf Course Developer, he immediately had a partner in that venture, in tropical St. Lucia; the deal was sealed for all year round Golfing. They are hoping to generate at least 1,000 jobs. There are questions on the existing enterprises and local businesses, but the Company have promised to provide alternate Routs and Carts to access the Beaches and local establishments.
Local politics with a new Government are digging in harder with demands which can be met, while time passes on. John Compton at his resting place must be wondering, ‘What’s going on?’ John joined Pigeon Island with the main land for the purpose of providing (reclaimed) Land and man made Beaches for developers to come, build Hotels, employ thousands of people which has been in existence for decades. At a time such as this, St. Lucia needs developers to provide the well needed jobs on the Island. We should moderate our politics so as not to discourage our friends from coming to help and enjoy what we have to offer.