Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2441/-1/140/
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JUNKS HOLE PROJECT: Will Double Anguilla's Hotel Rooms
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As Anguilla observes the 38th Anniversary of its 1967 Revolution, which resulted in a considerable amount of economic growth and transformation, Government representatives and the people are discussing the biggest proposed development project so far which is now heading for approval. It is the Junks Hole Estate Tourism Project which, when completed, will double the present number of hotel rooms on the island.
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Members of the Hodge’s family and other attendees at the Town Meeting
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The enormity of the proposed project, to take in some 475 acres owned by the Hodges, has led a Government-appointed Tourism Investment Review Committee to hold a series of town meetings to provide information to the people and to hear their views. The meetings were held at Island Harbour, East End and the Valley, May 19 - 21. The first two meetings were livelier and highly interactive as many of the persons in attendance were from the eastern end of the island where they have been longing to see some development that would match (or in this case outstrip) what is the west. Other persons including members of the committee were concerned about the tremendous scale of the project and the demand for large labour force from outside the island.
The Committee members at the meetings included the main spokesman, Marcel Fahie, Permanent Secretary for Economic Development, Investment and Commerce, Principal Planning Officer, Vincent Proctor, Director of Lands and Surveys, Gifford Connor; Crown Counsel, Ivor Greene; Permanent Secretary, Public Administration, Stanley Reid and First Nominated Member in the Ministry of Tourism, Donna Banks.
The project developers are mainly Property Markets Group and Urban Nicklaus Holdings, the major shareholders in Savannah Bay Resorts Ltd.
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View of development area
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A map outlining the project was explained by Vincent Proctor. It shows that the development will span an area from Savannah Bay in the south, the north coast towards Windward Point and down to the north –west taking in Captain’s Bay. The developers are proposing to construct 77 luxury homes, 120 condo flats of four storeys with 20 units per acre; 140 town homes with 10 units per acre; and patio homes with 3 per acre. A five-star hotel of 210 rooms with 140 keys to other rooms and a Jack Nicklaus –designed championship golf course are all part of the project which will have a total of 2,083 rooms.
The discussions between the developers and the Government representatives have ensured the protection of public and private roadways and heritage sites as well as recreation, parking and fishing areas.
Mr. Fahie said the developers proposed to complete construction of the project within 10 years but the Government’s strong position was that it should be spread out over 15 years. He cited as reasons the fact that there was full employment on the island; there would be a need to bring in large numbers of foreign workers and that the Government preferred to have a medium pace type of development on the island as opposed to very rapid development.
“With 2,083 rooms of which not less that 85 - 90% will be let for tourism purposes, this project would in fact double the current room capacity that currently supports the island’s [12,000] population, “ Mr. Fahie stated. “It means that depending on how fast you build, you have to increase the direct and indirect labour force to serve the project.”
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Head Table at Town Meeting in Island Harbour
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Mr. Fahie outlined some of the streams of revenue to be derived from the project in terms of purchase of land, Alien Landholding Licences and Stamp Duty. He nevertheless spoke about the need to approach the project with caution in the best interest of Anguilla and its social needs. While this is apparently generally understood by many persons on the island, this is the first project which appears to be well-headed for approval with the necessary agreements and safeguards.
The committee, charged with negotiating with the developers on behalf of the Government, will be continuing discussions with the developers to secure full agreement on all matters related to the project. A matter which the Government regards as a sticking point is that the development should be spread out over a 15-year period and not 10 years as proposed by the developers.