Government must decide
on Emilio Wilson permit
PHILIPSBURG--The ball is back in government’s court to make a firm decision on granting a planning permit to Emilio Wilson Estate B.V. to develop a section of the Cul de Sac estate.
At a recent hearing, the judge told parties involved he was not the proper authority to rule on the appeal filed by the company against government’s refusal to issue a permit.
Government has until the end of July to make a final decision. To reach this, parties involved have met with the island’s Committee of Experts to convey their views on the matter, Attorney for the company Rik Bergman told The Daily Herald.
In September 2005, plans to build a number of houses on the estate sparked much outcry from the community as well as environmental and heritage groups that wanted the estate preserved as a nature park because of its links to the island’s history.
The Executive Council denied the planning permit last year, based on the estate’s archaeological and historical importance to the island and no clear line of ownership of the property.
An archaeological survey of the estate was carried out by resident archaeologist Dr. Jay Haviser. Based on his findings documented in a report to the Executive Council and the Department of Environmental Policy VROM, the decision to deny the permit was taken.
Government was pursuing the idea of buying the estate, referred to as Golden Rock/Industry Estate in the land registry records and preserving it as a national park for present and future generations. However, the status of this plan is not known at present.
