LOCALS on Elbow Cay, Abaco, are incensed that an American developer has bought a substantial portion of the small settlement with reported plans to construct a mega-resort without first consulting the town committee.

Islanders are irate not only because the American developer — who has a second home on the island that he turned into a rental property — has already bought 14 acres consisting of 58 parcels of land in Hope Town while in talks to acquire another 17 acres which houses the Elbow Cay Club.

They claim that he did so without prior consultation with locals. They are afraid he will construct condominiums and a marina which will threaten the quiet, idyllic setting of the small community.

"All of what we've been hearing doesn't sound really good for Hope Town. Nothing has been approved, so we've been told, and we want to be sure before anything has been approved that we are at least consulted," a representative of the local council, who wished to have her name with held, said yesterday.

Fears that a large marina will drive away repeat visitors who favour an idyllic island vacation and not the hustle and bustle of a big city have roused many locals.

There are also concerns by environmentalists who contend the developer has bulldozed a few Madeira Mahogany trees, which are protected on the island.

After pressure from local government officials on Elbow Cay, it is reported that the developer has agreed to meet with the town council this afternoon. A town meeting is scheduled for 6.30 tonight when residents will express their concerns.

Locals maintained that they are not against second home owners or progress, but they want to have a say in any large-scale developments that may threaten the quaint atmosphere of the small town.

"We have nothing against second-home owners because they make Hope Town what it is, but the majority of second home owners want to be here because of what Hope Town is about, they don't want to change it.

"Nobody is going to argue that progress is going to happen, but we need it to happen at a slower pace so the town can catch up to it. But we don't want condos in Hope Town," said an island source.

Many residents use golf carts to manoeuvre around the tiny settlement and they are also worried that a large-scale development would create traffic congestion.

Council members wrote a letter to the Bahamas Investment Authority who replied that, while the sale of the land was approved, there has been no approval for any developments on the acquired property.

Attempts were made to secure a comment from David Davis, director of the Bahamas Investment Authority, but up to press time he could not be reached.

The Tribune spoke with another resident who feels betrayed that the government has allowed a foreigner to acquire such a large portion of the half-mile by six-mile island.

"No foreigner should be allowed to own that amount of land on Elbow Cay, it's just too small. People are angry that the government has allowed a non-Bahamian to buy this when the average Bahamian cannot afford to buy a piece of property. Why couldn't that (land) have been divided up and sold to Bahamians?

"Another thing is, nobody knew about it until after the fact, (The paperwork) all went through Nassau. If you have nothing to hide then why are you being so sneaky?"

Attempts to contact Jeremy Sweeting, councillor of Hope Town, were unsuccessful up to press team.

Source: The Tribune