Residents are cautiously celebrating after the Cayman Islands Government revealed it has bought 125 acres of Cayman Brac wilderness at threat of development.
The group had recently learnt that the area, which lies on The Bluff, to the north of Cayman Brac Lighthouse, was for sale for CI$6,950,000 and feared it could be built upon.
The land is known for its striking natural beauty and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the brown booby which nests there.
A government spokesperson confirmed to Cayman Independent that it had purchased the land, however, they did not say whether or not the site is safe from future development.
Word that the land was for sale spread in early August on social media after International Realty Group’s listing for the land was spotted online.
It described an “unparalleled opportunity”, featuring property that has already been “subdivided into 44 parcels, providing immense potential for future development”.
Concerned residents from across the three islands began contacting MPs, the National Trust, the National Conservation Council, and anyone else they thought might be able to help secure the site and prevent it from being bought by developers.
They were due to meet at the lighthouse on Sunday, 24 August, to launch a campaign to protect the land, said to be owned by an overseas investment or land holding company, when they learnt the government had purchased it.
Relieved, the group decided to continue with the meeting but turn it into a celebration.
They used the time to hike a popular trail which passes through the land, share personal memories of the area and reflect on its history.
and discuss how to protect the site permanently (Photo: Jonathan Schutte)
Sustainable Cayman youth ambassador, Leanni Tibbetts, who was at the gathering said: “Generations recalled climbing The Bluff and walking the path to the lighthouse during school trips and childhood adventures.
“Elders remembered carrying not only kerosene and propane, but also heavy batteries, up The Bluff to keep the lighthouse burning – a vital part of Cayman’s maritime heritage.”
She said one fisherman described how, as a young man, he would climb down the sheer bluff with a thatch basket strapped around him to fish from the cliffside, where he would discover booby nests along the rocky face.
“This is more than a piece of land. This is our story,” Tibbetts said. “[Sunday’s meeting] reminded me of who I am, where I come from, and the true essence of what it means to be Caymanian.”
The group, which included minister Nickolas DaCosta, an elected member for Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman, also discussed how they could help ensure that the land is permanently protected – especially with no news yet of what plans the government has for the site.
She added that they also want to push for the area south of the lighthouse, which is privately owned, to also be protected on a permanent basis.
Land around the lighthouse has been nominated on a number of occasions for preservation under the National Conservation Act with the hope of turning it into a national park, but so far without success.
The lighthouse itself is owned by the Crown.
by the Crown (Photo: Jonathan Schutte)
Responding to the news, National Trust executive director, Frank Roulstone, told Cayman Independent: “The land has been a high priority for purchase by the National Conservation Council and we applaud government for purchasing it.
“However, government purchase of land does not come with any security guarantees and government must now take the necessary steps to ensure the protection of this land, and the surrounding properties previously purchased, for future generations.
“This purchase together with the surrounding Crown properties would equate to some 284 acres, creating a massive green space for all living things including people.”
He said the lands fulfil many acquisition criteria including “environmental, historic and scenic qualifications”.
