Emilio Wilson Estate B.V.
to court for planning permit
PHILIPSBURG--Emilio Wilson Estate B.V. filed an administrative appeal in the Court of First Instance against government’s “fictitious denial” of its request for a planning permit for a residential development at Emilio Wilson Estate in Cul-de-Sac recently.
Government had a ninety-day period in which to respond to the permit application and this wasn’t done, prompting the company to move to the court within the six-week appeal period.
Based on administrative procedure law LAR, once government does not provide an answer to a permit request in the stipulated time, the petitioning party can assume “fictitious denial” and appeal on this ground.
Environmental Development and Property Management Commissioner Roy Marlin, who has played in integral part in what is now known as the Emilio Wilson Estate saga, could not be reached to ascertain whether government knows about the pending court case and what its view is on the matter.
The planned development of Emilio Wilson Estate has been at the heart of controversy in the community, as many persons, including environmental, heritage and cultural groups, are against any development on the property. The estate is the last remaining example from the plantation era and is the largest unspoilt area of greenery on the Dutch side.
Government is seeking to purchase and preserve the estate as a heritage park, as is the foundation for the management and conservation of the Emilio Wilson Estate, which was formed by concerned citizens to save the estate.
An archaeological survey of the estate to determine its historical and cultural worth is being carried out by archaeologist Jay Haviser and should be completed by the end of February.
Found on the estate are the ruin of St. Maarten’s first Governor John Philips’ house, the old boiler house and school built in the early 1700s that was the dwelling of the late Emilio Wilson, a burial ground known as Slave Yard, a water well, a spring and two natural caves at the top of Sentry Hill. Sentry Hill boasts one of the most unusual rock formations at the top of the hill, which is also a breeding spot for hawks.
Doctor’s Yard, where the ruin of Doctor Millard’s house stands, is in Emilio Wilson Historical and Cultural Park, which is part of the estate. There are also the ruins of a boiler house, two water wells and a natural spring. The estate further boasts Kenepa Garden, where 53 slaves were born, worked, lived and were buried. Estate owner Emilio Wilson’s great-grandmother is also buried on there.
Part of Kenepa Garden was used as “negro grounds” where the slaves planted ground provisions. Today, Ras Bushman has his agriculture station in the hills. He received permission to plant crops on the estate from the late Emilio Wilson.
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