Emilio Wilson Estate
permit denial upheld
PHILIPSBURG--The entire Emilio Wilson Estate, comprising Plantation Industry and Golden Rock, will be added to the Monument List for preservation. No development will be allowed on the estate, except for the Link VII roadway construction and any other “public necessity.”
The Island Council unanimously approved these points in its meeting Tuesday. The council also put its stamp of approval on the Executive Council’s decision of June 23, 2006, to deny a planning permit to Emilio Wilson Estate B.V., the company that wants to build some 270 houses on the estate.
Government had until Friday, a court appointed deadline, to make a decision about the company’s appeal against the permit denial. The company had filed a case contesting the “fictitious denial” of the permit, because government had failed to render a decision within the six weeks stipulated by the law close to two year ago.
Last month, the judge ruled that it was up to the Island Council to decide on the appeal. Whether the company will take further action to try and force government to grant a permit is not known.
The archaeological survey, carried out by Dr. Jay Haviser last year, and various ecological studies highlighted the estate’s historical and ecological importance to the island. These documents and intense public outcry to preserve the estate as a green zone played a pivotal role in the Island Council’s decision to uphold the permit denial.
Contending that the issue was bigger than party politics, National Alliance (NA) members supported a proposal presented by Environmental Development and Property Management Commissioner Theo Heyliger.
NA had requested the meeting to deliver a tongue-lashing to the Democratic Party (DP) government for not acting sooner on the issue. However, after finding common ground yesterday, the meeting took a more non-partisan path.
NA councilmen George Pantophlet, Hyacinth Richardson, Frans Richardson and Rudolphe Samuel told the council their party “saw itself in the resolution,” but suggested that the resolution include the word “entire” to ensure that it was clear that the entire estate and not just certain sections are to be deemed a monument. This change was made.
Hyacinth Richardson, whose father had worked on the estate, said it was very important to preserve the estate and not allow it to become another gated community, not accessible to the local population. “Are we going to continue to destroy our cultural and heritage sites for a dollar?” he asked.
Earlier, Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards had opened the 10:00am meeting and adjourned it directly after to give the parties time to find common ground. And, towards the closing stages of the meeting, DP Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams thanked NA for agreeing to discuss the issue before the public meeting began.
Heyliger said the Island Council resolution should show the population that both parties are firm about the importance of the Emilio Wilson Estate. “This sends a strong message and gives strength to our attorneys [handling the case],” Heyliger said.
