Friday was the last day for persons to voice their
objection to the National Environment and Planning Agency- regarding a highly
controversial proposal to build on one of Portland's most famous landmarks-
Pellew Island, otherwise known as Monkey Island.
The picturesque offshore island that has appeared on countless tourist board posters around the world is regarded as one of the most scenic landmarks in Jamaica and is considered the centerpiece for Portland's San San Beach resort area.
There is great concern that the parish's fragile tourism project could be adversely affected if an 18 month construction project to build 11 guest bedrooms and two swimming pools on the one and half acre island is carried out.
In a letter to the National Environment and Planning Agency, independent architect Marvin Goodman has alleged that the Environmental Impact Assessment presented to the public by the developers is seriously flawed.
He told RJR News that Pellew Island is not solid rock as stated but a permeable limestone cliff subject to fragmentation during heavy rainfall.
Neither is it a plateau as claimed but rises to a peak in the middle which means that it would be impossible to build on without removing the existing vegetation and decapitating the island.
Meanwhile, the San San Neighbours Association and the Environment Protection Association have both voiced their opposition to the project.
The picturesque offshore island that has appeared on countless tourist board posters around the world is regarded as one of the most scenic landmarks in Jamaica and is considered the centerpiece for Portland's San San Beach resort area.
There is great concern that the parish's fragile tourism project could be adversely affected if an 18 month construction project to build 11 guest bedrooms and two swimming pools on the one and half acre island is carried out.
In a letter to the National Environment and Planning Agency, independent architect Marvin Goodman has alleged that the Environmental Impact Assessment presented to the public by the developers is seriously flawed.
He told RJR News that Pellew Island is not solid rock as stated but a permeable limestone cliff subject to fragmentation during heavy rainfall.
Neither is it a plateau as claimed but rises to a peak in the middle which means that it would be impossible to build on without removing the existing vegetation and decapitating the island.
Meanwhile, the San San Neighbours Association and the Environment Protection Association have both voiced their opposition to the project.
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