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Let the culture remain– Resident on proposed Brandywine Bay Dev.

-Some residents also want road to remain
Residents were very vocal in highlighting their concerns as it related to the proposed relocation of the Brandywine Bay beach front road. Photo: VINO
Residents engaged Dr Pickering on the proposed designs as together they attempted to explore those and other options at the public meeting. Photo: VINO
Residents engaged Dr Pickering on the proposed designs as together they attempted to explore those and other options at the public meeting. Photo: VINO
Representative for the First and Third Districts, Honourables Andrew A. Fahie and Julian Fraser RA, were silent among the audience at the public meeting last night, September 12, 2013. Photo: VINO
Representative for the First and Third Districts, Honourables Andrew A. Fahie and Julian Fraser RA, were silent among the audience at the public meeting last night, September 12, 2013. Photo: VINO
Option one of the proposed by-pass road to accomodate the planned development of Brandywine Bay beach area. Photo: VINO
Option one of the proposed by-pass road to accomodate the planned development of Brandywine Bay beach area. Photo: VINO
Option two of the proposed by-pass road to accomodate the planned development of Brandywine Bay beach area. Photo: VINO
Option two of the proposed by-pass road to accomodate the planned development of Brandywine Bay beach area. Photo: VINO
Option three of the proposed by-pass road to accomodate the planned development of Brandywine Bay beach area. Photo: VINO
Option three of the proposed by-pass road to accomodate the planned development of Brandywine Bay beach area. Photo: VINO
BRANDYWINE BAY, Tortola, VI – One resident has challenged that the Brandywine Bay road be designed to ensure that the culture of nature remains when government moves to develop the beach area.

His call was applauded by those in attendance at a special community meeting called by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. The Honourable Pickering last evening September 12, 2013.

The meeting was held beachside at Brandywine Bay and saw a massive turn out of residents.

“When I in St John and I go up to North Shore road I can see the whole beach front, white people are on the road, black people are on the road, the cars they are on the road, its affect no one. Why we can’t let the people have the real actual culture of the land …. Let the people see culture. We need to have culture in the Island,” said the resident who was applauded for his recommendation.

The resident suggested that the government request from land owners of the existing setting a portion more of their lands and develop it where it allows the culture of the area to remain. “Why you can’t ask me for ten feet more road and let ten feet of the land coming in move back a little further and we develop a certain part of the road with some kind of stone, trees, anything that camouflage the beach,” he explained.

The man spoke of animals reportedly blending as one family with humans and traffic as is seen in neighbouring Islands, where pigs are seen daily sucking cows’ milk and donkey peering into the windows of cars and other vehicles. “That forms a culture and that’s why we need our culture to remain because that is what tourists come to see, that is what we want to see. Let the culture remain,” he added.

Road should remain

Several others said they would rather support the idea of having the road remain in its original position. They proposed that the existing road be upgraded and have a stretch of the existing water front of the beach back filled and re-designed to accommodate the intended development of Brandywine Bay Beach for economic and other gains.

Speaking exclusively with Virgin Island News Online, one resident said he would rather share his opinion on a one-to-one basis with the stakeholders as opposed to open microphone and flashing cameras and explained that he supported the idea of having the culture remain. “We have to be smart and be economical in try to bring economic gains,” he said.

According to the man, who spoke very passionately, the existing road has deep memories and strong cultural roots and meaning to many families who had given up large portions of their lands at no cost to government for the road to be constructed.

“With the designs they put forward they are taking away the whole culture of the area, all of it they taking away. As it is right now, anyone passing through Brandywine Bay gets a glimpse of the beauty of the beach. It remains in their memories, it is culture,” he said.

Anything we do will affect people’s land – Dr The Hon. Kedrick  D. Pickering

Addressing residents on the proposed designs to have the road relocated, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr the Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering openly admitted that whichever design is accepted and should move forward will have some measure of effect on persons’ land or property. “We really need feedback. I am perfectly aware that anything we do is going to affect people’s land and I am aware of that. I am not ignorant of the fact that it is going to be a sensitive issue when you start having to cut through people’s land and having to negotiate for land. I am very much aware of that,” said Dr Pickering.

He further emphasised that the proposed designs were those of the Survey Department, Town and Country Planning and Public Works Departments. “We need feedback on what people think especially from those people who have land in the area. It is no sense coming here and walking away vex with the government,” said Dr Pickering.

He stressed it is imperative that the road be built at some point in time and that time is swiftly approaching as the development of the beach is one that is of critical importance to the economic development of the Country. “It’s been on the agenda for the last 20 to 25 years. The time has come, the road has to go ahead.” He added that it may not be done during his term but yet it has to be done as the present situation could not continue.

“You cannot do anything on the beach with the road so close to the beach. It is totally destructive for anybody who wants to do a development here,” He added.

Three by-pass options

Government presented three by-pass road proposal to residents and explained by Deputy Chief Surveyor of the Lands and Survey Department, Mr Dwayen Nibbs and assisted by Senior Lands Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Ms Heather James.

Option one had three parts; the first phase is Sotheby Bay where it is proposed to change the gradient of the road and curbs to accommodate big trucks. The second is where it starts at the level of the Brandywine Bay Hill and goes across into the road towards Paraquita Bay.

Option two starts from the foot of the Brandywine Bay Hill and meanders up the hill. “The objective of this option also is to open up more lands along the ridge,” said Mr Nibbs. The option rises towards Sabbath Hill, going towards Belle Vue, comes back across the existing buildings and merges back into the road heading to Paraquita Bay.

Option three starts from Kingston, goes up through Sotheby Bay, “goes through the buildings” and joins back into the road heading into Paraquita Bay.

31 Responses to “Let the culture remain– Resident on proposed Brandywine Bay Dev.”

  • ccc (13/09/2013, 11:23) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    well saw
  • qc (13/09/2013, 11:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clearly, the government NOT been transparent in it's tactics towards the (pending) sale of the identified peoples lands
    • keep focus (13/09/2013, 23:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the real deal and issue is about cutting through people them property.
  • Confucius (13/09/2013, 11:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    What has happened is that the government has apparently changed the rules, negotiated a 'sell-out' deal, pretend it is still under review by having this meeting , and turned around and told the people, 'like it or bite it'.

    • rattie (13/09/2013, 12:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Blah, blah, blah. Where is the money coming from to buy property like in the central mangrove or thoes lands?
  • ... (13/09/2013, 11:34) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Governments are elected to lead, and not to pussyfoot around engaging in how they can take the people dem lands to cut a run to satify some whites
  • weed (13/09/2013, 12:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder how many of you have actually read the draft of that proposed or heard of it before last night?
  • ReX FeRal (13/09/2013, 12:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Quite a long story fro the NDP to just say its the ;ocals fault and not mine as they do not want development. We get it. Your still wrong.

  • yellow (13/09/2013, 12:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    leave the people dem land and house doc
  • WHAT THE... (13/09/2013, 12:42) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE BENDING BACKWARDS FOR A COMPANY THAT HAS 2 SHIPS (DISNEY) AND ANTHER THAT MAY HAVE ONLY 4 SHIPS IN THIS REGION? WE ARE PUTTING TOO MANY RESOURCES INTO AN INDUSTRY THAT BENEFITS US APPROX $25.00 BUCKS A HEAD. CHASING AWAY THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO STAY FOR 1-2 WEEKS FOR THIS??? WHO WILL PAY FOR THAT ROAD; DISNEY??? NO! TAX PAYERS WILL PAY FOR IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF DISNEY AND SOME CRUISE LINE PASSENGERS THAT WILL GIVE TAXI DRIVERS $3 BUCKS TO GET TO THE BEACH TO BUY 2 BEERS AND HEAD BACK TO THE SHP FOR LUNCH. MIGHT AS WELL START THE DOLLAR BUS SYSTEM BY THE TIME SOME HUNGRY TAXI DRIVERS START BIDDING DOWN! TELL THE PEOPLE WE ARE NOT EVEN COLLECTING THE DEPARTURE TAX FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. SOME PRIVATE COMPANY IS TO MAKE CERTAIN THEY GET EVERY PENNY OF THEIR INVESTMENT WHICH THEY NO WILL FAIL.

    STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES
  • hey (13/09/2013, 12:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    at least persons with property in the hillside can get access to their property now
  • Future Generations (13/09/2013, 14:22) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do not understand fully how developing a beach is of critical importance. How??? Why take away the naturalness of the beach to develop it, into what? The same kind of beach tourists are running from. They want to see new things, new cultures so why give them the same. We need to start looking at Eco-tourism!! Removing the road will spoil the beauty of the beach. Driving pass the road and watching the beach is very breathtaking. Trying to please investors by taking away the one thing the people and the island itself have left, what is it worth?? We have little to no culture left. The beaches and the nature of the islands and people are all we have. Why give it up for a mingy thousand dollars that wont last for generations to come. That money won't stay in this country, because usually most tourist don't ever come back. Also, Do they even thing about what these plans and development would do to and for generations to come?? To They think about the future of the islands and people or only look at the present moment and what they can presently gain?? I URGE the people of the BVI to think and consider daily, what their choices and deeds of today can do for generations to come, what are we leaving for them? What kind of island/planet are we leaving for them? What kind of children are we rising to inherit the Earth? Brandywine Bay is not even a beach in my eyes, its a BAY!! So why not just leave it as it!. Build up A few shelters etc, and keep it maintained. That's another issue we don't ever stick to one thing, we don't maintain nothing.

    Lord Help Us Now!! Please hear the voices of those crying out to you for the wisdom to rule this Earth that you gave us. Amen!
  • bvi (13/09/2013, 15:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was at the meeting and I was thinking option #1 might be the best way to go, but after sleeping on it option #3 should be best suited for long term investments in the BVI. More roads allows access to new lands. The only problem I have with option 3 is you will take longer to get to the collage. But the overall development objectives looks like a good idea if and that is if we can afford it at this time? On the other hand taxi drivers and resedents living there still have to get home will they use the existing roads?
  • kkk (13/09/2013, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (89) Reply
    some body must investigate which white developer pushing this project
  • Expose them (13/09/2013, 15:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Disney world is a 2.5hr flight away, who told this government people are flocking to the caribbean looking for mickey mouse. So let me get this right people are leaving florida the home of disney world rushing down to the BVI looking for MIcky mouse? Why bother leaving florida? We are moving soo far away from what made the BVI a popular Tourist destination. I will bet my last dollar they cannot carry Micky mouse up to Oil Nut Bay or North Sound.

  • . (13/09/2013, 16:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    My land is for my grandchildren... not disney nor carnival.
  • face it (13/09/2013, 18:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is deeds people trying to take the local lands to give to the invaders? Lets march
  • dog (13/09/2013, 19:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    look how much time the new roads will add to passing through the bay. It doesn't make sense. Also, having the developers of the cruise ship park help develop beaches IS conflict of interest. Their personally stated and narrow interest VS. those of a whole territory and culture. there are better ways of "entertaining" sheeple off the ships. I agree that Brandywine is a bay, not a beach. And the beach took a page from Oil nut bay (or vise versa) because both beaches disrupted the ecology by bringing sand in where nature never had any. Sea grass is vital to the health of the bay. It is a fake beach. why does it need to be dolled up?
  • L b (13/09/2013, 20:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are quite a few locals who have expressed interest in Brandywine Bay. Their concepts, proposals and ideas are sitting in the Ministry! Why are they not good enough? Why do we always have to go to outsiders...the big companies all the time? When done we talk about supporting local business development. Everything is foreign company, foreign consultant, foreign project manager. I guess the only local good enough to do anything in this place is Lorna Smith!

    That beach needs water sports and a few bars and restaurants, real craft shop and a few cyber cafe spots. Nothing more. Watch the taxis start going there with their passengers instead of CGB. Develop a weekly event there during the tourist season and Boom! Work on a story about how great sea weed is as healing property for the skin and the tourists will gladly swim along the seaweeds. It isn't rocket science!

    We don't need a new road nor a foreign company to invest and tell us what we can or can't do on our Bay!
  • Crawl not Run (13/09/2013, 21:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    y is the development of this beach such an importance and seems to be needed a state of the art look. Dr. Pickering always stresses "Leave the beach in its Natural State" so why is this one different. It started wrong to begin with, as it is a filled beach. I think it is fine the way it is. all our beaches are fine. All we need is a restroom and lifeguards.
  • . (13/09/2013, 21:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this beach will never have prestine waters
    • Billfargo (14/09/2013, 17:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are very much right, because there was never a beach in Brandywine Bay; It will always be like stagnant water every 24 hours when the sea purges it self. Stink like hell!
  • K (13/09/2013, 22:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We who live there can no longer hitch a ride.
  • dead on arrival (13/09/2013, 23:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    like many of the NDP propersals this oen not going anywhere
  • NPoitico (13/09/2013, 23:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. the Hon Pickering has an interesting way of trying to get stakeholder to buy-in to his proposals. He may not realize it but he comes across with a hard edge like its my way or the highway. This is the way the TBL was a “done deal” quip came across. And similarly this road restructuring is coming across in the same manner.The hard edge approach comes across as if he is on power trip and the decision is made and it is only being discuss for show.

    Normally, using eminent domain to take property is done for the public good. For example, to build a school, a hospital, a roadway to ease traffic congestion…..etc. It is rarely used for direct economic development. I’m not too sure that this is a good use of eminent domain. Is the new road being use to improve traffic safety, reduce traffic congestion, reduce roadway damage from tidal and storm surges…etc. Eminent domain needs to be employed for true public good. To the maximum extent possible and practical land ownership should be respected and eminent domain employed for true public good.

    If the the land were the Hon Pickering or close family, would he be so quick to employ eminent domain in this case? The civil engineers need to put on their creative and innovative caps and head back to the drawing board/autocad. Many of our sister regional countries are feeling the ravages of plantation economics; the BVI needs to take heed and learn from their missteps. An economy that is totally external oriented without a plan B is a disaster waiting to happen.
  • cameras needed (14/09/2013, 07:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a classic case by this government of himself to himself for herself....
  • Master (14/09/2013, 07:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the people cannot persuade the Government of the day to use an alternative route then someone need to do a hungry strike about their land…
  • Billfargo (14/09/2013, 17:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    There was never a beach in Brandywine Bay and you nor any one can create a beach. A beach is a natural part of nature, and the only thing Kedrick Pikering can do is go along with some foolish proposal by his rich white friends for money, while messing over the land owners in the area. If he is so concern about beach; He needs to start trying to improve what they has destroyed in the East End area.
  • u r a screw up (16/09/2013, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. P,
    If you tell me you cutting roads to help people to get to their land, I will say sounds good, but to please disney? Thats stupid!!! Do you really care for and love the people of the BVI doc? I thought you were one of the more intelligent ones but obviously your not. At least not for public service. Get back to your practice where you made a positive impact and stop trying to find jobs for the nuckle heads running autland!


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