Ministry clarifies St. George’s Caye development

On Monday night we headed to Saint George’s Caye where up to ten acres of land is said to be under development. Chairman of the St. George’s Caye village council, John Searle, took the media out to the island for a look at the work being done in what is considered to be a part of the “Mangrove Protected Areas”. Today News Five spoke with CEO in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Beverly Castillo, who said that the survey being done is for the subdivision of thirty-one lots. Castillo said that the while the lots are intended for local distribution, there has been no processing of applications and that she doesn’t know of any plans for the construction of a marina. As to the dredging of a channel, Castillo maintains that isn’t the case. She went on to say that the entire St. George’s Caye was built through the dredge and fill process and that the area isn’t part of a reserve or protected area. And while the Village Council was never informed or consulted, the Minister of Natural Resources is willing to hold discussions with the council based on their submissions for the distribution of lots.