National Trust Opposes Proposed New Bill

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is strongly opposed to yet another attempt to undermine the National Conservation Act and increase the powers of the Central Planning Authority by the introduction of a new section 5(2) of the Development and Planning Act proposed by Chris Saunders, MP for Bodden Town West.

This new section would grant the CPA and Development Control Board “exclusive authority” in planning matters. In simple terms this would override the consultation requirements established in other statutes — including the National Conservation Act — which exist to ensure that planning decisions are informed by environmental, heritage, and public-interest considerations beyond the application itself.

The Trust does not support the amendment of any laws which weaken the position of the National Conservation Act and maintains the position that the Act should be strengthened, not eroded.

The consultation framework it provides is not an obstacle to development; it is a safeguard for the residents of all three islands and for the natural and cultural heritage that belongs to every Caymanian. Weakening that framework — particularly through an amendment to a separate piece of legislation introduced without public consultation — sets a precedent that the Trust cannot support.

The Trust respectfully urges Members of Parliament to reject the Bill in its current form and to ensure that any future reform of the planning system is brought forward through proper public consultation with the statutory bodies, agencies, and communities whose futures depend on getting these decisions right.