I must admit that i have not really followed this story. Could someone in a paragraph or less explain why the santuary is being close and why fingers are being pointed at the Government???? who owns this place anyway????

Peter Allard owns the santuary. Peter Allard is closing it. Peter Allard realizes too late that it could not make money.

Peter Allard wants to give it to Barbados, or so BFP says. However, in order for Bajans to get it, the government must first buy 250 acres of private land and make a park. That is the gospel according to Peter Allard, and BFP, or so it seems to me.

I am not down there and have not followed it closely, but that I think is the gist of it.

Pat thanks for the concise summary,…but are you sure this is the approach of Peter Allard?

More questions:
Who owns the 250 acres of private land?
Why must there be a park as a condition of sale for a money losing enterprise?

Is there a park righ now?

Is Peter Allard closing it because it is losing money? Or is he closing it to force government hand?
once it’s closed what happens? Does it remain the property of Peter Allard?

If so how strong could his argument be?

The only people who would benefit by the purchase of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary by Govt. of Barbados would be Allard, his family and his lawyers. There is nothing in it for the vast majority of taxpayers whose money some you are asking the Govt. to waste.

So if i understand GHNS, purchasing the surrounding land (250 acres) is not at issue.

What is the god dammed issue then?

Does Peter Allard want to be paid for the santuary?

Does he want to donate it?

Is the Government not interested in purchasing it or recieving it from Allard?

Why is it being closed again?

Is it that Peter Allard will only donate or sell if the government agrees to his wishs that the surrounding lands become a national park?

“Is it that Peter Allard will only donate or sell if the government agrees to his wishs that the surrounding lands become a national park?”
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Aye, aye, aye! Dere is de rub. We be dictated to by another rich foreigner…

Strings, strings, strings! Some philanthropist.

“We repeat: Government changed the deal.”

People, including governments change their minds every day. So what is the big deal?

Let’s forget about Allard for a moment:

The promise of a 240-acre or so park at the existing Graeme Hall green space was a promise to the people of Barbados.

Barbadian and UN land use planners outlined it and recommended it in the 1988 PDP. Parliament ratified it.

Since then, the parklands have virtually disappeared from the new 2003 PDP. Ask anyone if they knew what happened – they don’t.

If people say that it is okay for politicians to go back on a promise to the people who elected them, and if people say that the lessons of history don’t matter, then heaven help them.

And if people say it’s okay for fundamental quality of life decisions to be made without full public transparency and robust public disclosure, then heaven help them.

The maps and information in the following links are clear:

http://www.graemehall.com/press/papers/GHNS-Land-Use-Conflicts-QandA.pdf

General reference:

http://www.graemehall.com/reference.htm

Rightly or wrongly so the PM sent a strong message on the issue of GHNS last night.

We don’t have the facts or should we say that we are not a fly on the wall, it is why we couched our comment.

Rosie,

replicate the swamp? That is a natural phenomenon.

I have to say Georgie Porgie is right in his description. I grew up in the area and spend a lot of time within the area we affectionately called “the swamp” climbing cocoanut trees, fishing, crabbing etc. the swamp also served as a well known “short cut” to those traveling to Worthings beach. The natural swamp was located between Rendezvous Main Rd in the west and the coastline (what is now known as H’way 7 today) to the south. The northern boundary area of the swamp is the first landward natural geologic ridge. Between the first and second ridge was/is a flat historical agriculture area (now owned by the Barbados government). To the north, the modern ABC Highway runs east-west along the base of the third ridge. As kids, we know this area to be Graeme Hall Plantation where sugar cane was grown. In the latter part of the 70’s it was simply open space where we played two-day cricket in an area just east of the Rendezvous Main Rd. as stated by Georgie Porgie much of the original area in the western section of the natural swamp was filled in and developed residential (Amity Lodge, Rendezvous Gardens).
I am surprised by the comments of Adrian Hinds above. It shows some one willing to make stupid comments without having no idea what the issues are. The main issue here is ‘what is the future of the area in dispute?’ The new government has changed the zoning (Jan. 08) of all that area south of the ABC H’way between the second and third ridges opening it up for impervious development. This is in conflict with the 1988 National Plan for the Physical Environment and reduces the amount of open space set aside for the development of the broader nature sanctuary.
What has become further apparent is that on such a small island Bajans have yet to understand the value of natural environments including open spaces.

Hopefully, SOON! What I find interesting is that Mr. Peter Allard & GHNS in their wisdom felt it necessary to designate a portion of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary as a RAMSAR site in a country that the government refused to be a contracting party to the international treaty. Go figure!

As far as the CLICO Portion of the “free land” goes, didn’t Ernst & Young take over a part of it?

The issue isn’t the continuation of the Sanctuary. It is whether Allard will let government take it over without imposing his almighty conditions.

I am sick of these foreigners taking over.

The Prime Minister appeared to be very clear in the message on this matter on Sunday. While he seemed receptive to cooperating in some fashion with Allard/GHNS he was also very firm in the point that the government will not be held over a barrel on the matter. In our view it is up to Allard to slacken his position to demonstrate good faith because it looks like PM Thompson will not be moved on this matter.

The Prime Minister is a good man, but he may need better information than he has been given.

There are extremely talented staff people working for Mr. Thompson who have actually met and worked with Sanctuary personnel. They will confirm the Sanctuary’s cooperative stance over the years.

Ultimately the Sanctuary should belong to the people of Barbados, and its ecosystem and legal status within the Graeme Hall green space deserves to be protected in perpetuity. Perhaps Mr. Thompson should ask his staff why no one from government has called anyone at the Sanctuary to tangibly discuss what appears to be a major common interest.

David,

On point and regardless of what either of us might regard the behind-the-scenes mechanics, the issue stands: The Sanctuary should belong to the people of Barbados, and should be appropriately protected. That’s it.

Perhaps some would be surprised how this could be an actual opportunity instead of a perceived liability.

In a generation people won’t care about how it all came about.

@GHNS

Don’t take this question in the wrong but if we understand correctly Mr. Allard is a billionaire or ar worst a multi-millionaire.
Why put 85 people out of work?

Well it look like at last we getting the truth about Graeme Hall. But I think it needs to reach a wider public because most Bajans are upset over the closure of GH and the Government is getting the blame. If Allard wrote the PM a rude letter it should be made public. Now we know the connection between Allard and BFP, no wonder they are so rude and insensitive (unlike David on BU), and I have known for some time that at least one of the BFP people is definitely not Bajan, and I also have my doubts that it is more than one person. Blogs play an important part – although they don’t reach the wider public – and I am very much with BFP on their call for ITAL (which I have strong doubts will come to pass), but they are always negative about Barbados in general and the Government, and it is obvious that they hate David Thompson. I hope the GH problem will be solved and that the Nature Sanctuary will re-open so that Bajans and visitors to the island can enjoy the beauty there. Thank you, Wuh, for the enlightenment.

At stake is the future of Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary for the people of Barbados. What is truly distressing is that there are people who, because of their dislike for Mr. Allard, would prefer that no discussions happen at all and that any attempt to facilitate transfer of the Sanctuary to the people of Barbados is somehow wrong-headed.

As mentioned to BU’s David, future generations won’t care about anything that happens these days – they’ll want to go to the Park. Would anyone deny them?

There are some major distortions of the truth that need to be corrected:

The Prime Minister has indeed talked with Mr. Roberts, from all accounts it was a positive meeting that promised further contact and exploration of the possibilities. Responsibility for discussions and resolution of the Sanctuary issue were assigned to the Minister of Environment, and a meeting was held between a Sanctuary official and the Minister in early January 2009. This meeting also seemed optimistic and progressive and the Minister promised action within a week. The Sanctuary has heard nothing in nearly two months.

In regard to “GHNS was not prepared to talk unless…the government was willing to commit to the area of land around the swamp being “quarantined” is simply not true. It’s no secret the Sanctuary is in favor of the original intent of Graeme Hall lands including the Sanctuary being part of a major park on the South Coast, but this in no way stands in the way of discussions or government’s ultimate decision about what is best for the people of Barbados. The Sanctuary has always been available to talk anytime, anywhere.

It is indeed true that Mr. Thompson facilitated the transfer tax waiver for the Sanctuary which had been denied the Sanctuary since the 1990’s. This denial of benefit by the previous administration had no basis, as the Sanctuary has been and is recognized as a qualified participant under the Special Development Areas Act in other respects. After three letters of appeal by Sanctuary lawyers, the Sanctuary finally got what it was supposed to get all along.

The fact of the matter is that Mr. Allard has transformed one of the most beautiful natural heritage sites in Barbados, and it deserves to be preserved in perpetuity for the people of Barbados.

But to expect that one man should be the sole supporter of a national treasure in perpetuity is simply unrealistic and naive.

Regardless of personalities or politics, the environmental integrity of Graeme Hall matters to the health and welfare of the South Coast, and the the issue needs to be resolved for future generations.

The way to get there is to start with dialogue.

David,

I understand where you’re coming from, and appreciate your questions and perspective.

To clarify, the last meeting was in fact with Dr. Lowe in his capacity as Minister of Environment, Water Resources and Drainage.

The fastest way to stimulate the economy over the long term is to begin with a cohesive master plan that encompasses fully integrated social economic, education, environmental and cultural master plans.

In this regard, the Sanctuary could be an asset to help leverage economic recovery and long term quality of life on the South Coast. This comment is not meant to be coy, it’s just a reality for good planning.

It’s yet another reason for dialogue.

@Wuh?
“They carry on about integrity every day at BFP but their main financier, Allard, allegedly tried to bribe a former Prime Minister! ”

Please tell us more about this bribery allegation.

In regard to “GHNS was not prepared to talk unless…the government was willing to commit to the area of land around the swamp being “quarantined” is simply not true. It’s no secret the Sanctuary is in favor of the original intent of Graeme Hall lands including the Sanctuary being part of a major park on the South Coast, but this in no way stands in the way of discussions or government’s ultimate decision about what is best for the people of Barbados. The Sanctuary has always been available to talk anytime, anywhere.
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GHNS,

You statement above is incredibly untrue. Apparently there is a letter from one of your principals representing Mr. Allard indicating that if the government does not accept the designation, there is NO POINT TALKING! I will seek to get a copy for BU bloggers.

Secondly, where was GHNS or a wider area including the GHNS designated a Special Development Area? Where in the Schedule to the legislation is GH covered? I don’t see it.

GH was entitled to nothing. The new government has shown good faith. But my own view is that BFP’s constant dangerous slandering of our country and its leader – all financed by super-rich Allard (who hasn’t declared his assets or lifestyle!) – is obviously a factor.

In fact, I want to let your contributors know I have made it an issue in my converstation with Mr. Thompson who seemed to know nothing about BFP or their constant slander of him except he did say that his mother mentioned something to him a few weeks ago.

I presume that is why he can be so cool, confident and unflappable. But I can’t. I am a Bajan and I will resist any attempt by anyone to “hold the Government over a barrel” as GHNS is trying to do.

Dr. Lowe, take your time and think it over. If Allard wants to starve all the fish and birds, that will show what a real philanthropist he is!

If Allard does not want to keep the sanctuary open then simply close it.

This attempt to force the government of barbados to meet Allard’s demands by threatening to send home 85 workers, should not be tolerated.

GHNS while being a worthwhile project is still a failed business venture .

Government’s involment in GHNS should be on its terms and not Allard’s.

Sing-a-song, you forgot to inlcude a waterpark. Wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake!