[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Sustainable and Well-planned Development Action Group (SWDAG) has scheduled a second town-hall meeting for the district of Choiseul. This is part of a series of meetings planned to discussing the Sab Richard Hotel Project being undertaken by the GP Group. The first meeting which was held on July 30 at Alco’s Disco in Morne Sion, saw a presentation by former chairman of the board of the Citizenship by Investment Programme, Dr Ernest Hilaire.
The group wishes to dispel any notion that it has any political party affiliations or sprung forth as a result of the actions of the Vieux Fort Concerned Citizens Coalition. The fact that the announcement of the hotel project came just prior to the general elections of June 2016, was of major concern to a lot of Choiseulians. Those concerned citizen grouped themselves together as a result. A look at the Sustainable and Well-planned Development Action Group’s Facebook page will show activity from May 2016. A note on that page published on May 31, 2016 will show a plethora questions regarding the proposed development.
The group has planned a series of meetings because it assessed that Choiseulians were in the dark in regard to the plans for the project. Dr Ernest Hilaire was invited as its first guest speaker to set the background under which the project came to be proposed for Choiseul and the terms and conditions under which the project was being negotiated. Coming out of that meeting was the fact that this was one of the first CIP project. Initially there were no plans to relocate the pubic road that crosses the property. Some objections were raised by the hotel operator just before the 2016 elections. A new administration came in thereafter and a rerouting of the road was proposed!
The proposed road diversion is a major issue for Choiseulians but other issues include beach access, the effects on the farming and craft culture of the community and whether the hotel design is complimentary to the esthetics, topographical and architectural scheme.
The second meeting takes place at Myriod’s Place in Morne Sion on Sunday August 27 at 4pm. The parliamentary representative, Mr Bradley Felix, a representative from Invest St. Lucia and the CIP Unit are expected to be in attendance as the constituents have asked to speak with the decision Makers. The meeting is open to all Choiseulians and concerned Saint Lucians from anywhere.
The group hopes that is can subsequently sit with the developers.
