Dr. Earl Deveaux has granted a permit that will effectively allow the owner of Bell Island to construct a marina to accommodate 150-foot vessels at the cay, which is part of the oldest marine park on earth.
The permit and license issued to Island of Discovery Ltd./Gail Lockhart Charles and Co. by the director of Physical Planning on September 21, is valid for 12 months and allows for the excavation of more than 12 acres at Bell Island.
The approvals allow the developer to excavate 4.32 acres of upland area for a yacht basin; 2.56 acres of marine area for an outer channel; 4.28 acres of marine area for a barge landing and 1.9 acres of marine area for the outer area of the barge landing.
Bell Island is owned by the Aga Khan, whose helicopter Dr. Deveaux, who is allegedly in the pocket of the developer, has admitted riding in with his wife to attend an Abaco film screening.
The issue gained attention last month in a series, of newspaper articles which led to calls for the minister’s resignation due to a potential conflict of interest.
The articles also raised questions about development in the environmentally sensitive region, which has led to heavy criticism of the BNT.
Special legisaltion, the Bahamas National Trust Amendment Bill, was allegedly passed in the House of Assembly earlier this month to allow the dredging in the protected area.
