Letter from Planning Minister outlining agreement between National Trust, Ironwood Development and Government over Extension to the East West Arterial

FROM: Minister of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure

(PLAHI)

23 April2014

TO: National Trust for the Cayman Islands

558 South Church St

Box 31116

Grand Cayman KY1-1205

Tel: 749-1121

Attn: National Trust Council

Dear Sirs

Re: Extension to the East West Arterial

Subsequent to our announcement that this Government was in support of a P3 project for the extension of the EW Arterial, my Ministry has had several meetings with stakeholders such as the National Trust and Ironwood Development, regarding the proposed route of the new arterial.

We have listened to your concerns regarding the proposed route of the road through the several different parcels of the Trust’s property, and are cognizant of the sensitivity and concern with which your Council views this project. We appreciate the continued cooperation emerging from the discussions we’ve had, and the resolve to find a solution that we can all support.

Further to these discussions, and mindful of the “edging effect that the road creates, this Government is in support of the route (approaching the Frank Sound junction) as outlined in Appendix I. This allows the large reserve to the north (Labelled A) to remain intact and creates a smaller area to the south-east of the road (Labelled B) that is owned by the National Trust. The area labelled B is necessary as a buffer to the nearby residential area and to assist in the natural drainage of the surrounding land. Additionally, the National Trust will access its reserve

(A) from a left off/left on only access road off the east bound lane to be constructed on Block 55A Parcel 7 which the Ministry commits to building for the purpose of accessing the Mastic Reserve trailhead.

In relation to mitigation, the Ministry commits to transfer the Crown property known as Block 55A Parcel 26 to the National Trust prior to the commencement of the construction of the proposed road. Additionally, the Ministry commits to employing its best efforts to acquire any remnant land of parcels which will remain between the Mastic Reserve and north of the new roadway. As discussed, such properties will be transferred to the National Trust to mitigate the loss of Trust owned property which will be used for the road corridor.

When the section of the EW Arterial from Frank Sound east to the Queen’s Highway is built, the Ministry is committed to finding a less destructive route around the current areas known as the Salina Reserve and the Colliers Wilderness Reserve which the National Trust has under its protection. The route of the road corridor outlined in Appendix II is for diagrammatic purposes only, and indicates the general alignment as presently gazetted. To minimize damage or destruction of any sensitive ecosystems along the proposed corridor, the proposed route will be investigated on site by the NRA, in consultation with the National Trust, in order to determine a mutually agreed alignment prior to finalisation of design and construction of the roadway.

We thank your team for their dedication and professionalism in these discussions and are pleased that we have found an amicable resolution to this sensitive issue. The Ministry will continue to support and work along with the National Trust and other relevant stakeholders to see the project to fruition.

Signed

 

D. Kurt Tibbetts, OBE, JP. Minister for PLAHI