SHORELINE IMPROVEMENT
WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Dart Real Estate is submitting a Coastal Works Application to remove an area of exposed beachrock to
improve the recreational quality of the beach which will facilitate development of luxury tourism property.
COASTAL WORKS APPLICATION
The total study area is 2,500 feet along Seven Mile Beach.
Dart Real Estate is applying to remove 1,225 feet of
beachrock between the shoreline and a depth of 4.5 feet
below mean sea level, all in shallow areas seaward of land
owned by Dart Real Estate.
The application excludes any beachrock deeper than
4.5 feet below mean sea level; only shallow beachrock
that impedes entry into the sea and swimming would
be removed.
The application is to remove 8,400 cubic yards combined
of beachrock and peat thought to lie under the bedrock
based on findings from the December 7, 2016 trial removal.
The beachrock removal trial found beachrock slabs to be
thin (averaging 12 inches), brittle and easily removed.
Beachrock and peat to be removed would be replaced
with an equal volume of sand, sourced from the
Dart Real Estate site east of the former West Bay Road.
This sand was approved for use by the Cayman Islands
Government and was used to replace the beachrock
removed inthe trial.
Staged removal methodology would expand on that
successfully deployed in the trial, using new silt screens
and closely monitored.
Active excavation of the 1,225 feet of shallow beachrock
would take less than a week.
The application has been informed by studies conducted
by recognized experts with knowledge of and experience
with Grand Cayman’s environment, using historical
studies, recent evaluations and advanced computer
modelling technology.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SHORELINE CONSIDERATIONS
Detailed surveys of the study area from marine biologists at
Cardno report that the shallow beachrock formation has a
low density of coral colonies with little diversity compared
to actual reefs nearby in deeper water.
Dart Real Estate has participated in the Department of
Environment’s turtle nest monitoring programme and would
schedule removal around the active nesting season.
Dart Real Estate would work closely with CIG and DoE
to receive guidance on policies, help inform the process
and documentation requirements and consult on
methodologies, complying with all conditions as it did
with the trial.
Coastal Engineers from CGA/ATM have evaluated
projections using the advanced computer modelling
and found that beachrock removal would have minimal
impact on the beach. Modelling also shows that beach
advancement after storm activity is expected to be
similar to adjacent sections of beach without beachrock.
The application excludes 250 feet of beachrock at
the northern end of the beachrock formation, part of
which is directly seaward of land owned by others.
Dart Real Estate would welcome a Third Party Review
by a mutually agreed coastal engineering firm.
SHORELINE IMPROVEMENT
WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FIVE STAR RESORT AND RESIDENCES ON SEVEN MILE BEACH
Dart Real Estate and its selected operator have identified
the site as the preferred location for a luxury property with
a conceptual programme of 225 hotel rooms,
80 residences and 10 villas.
Dart Real Estate evaluated various locations for the new
five star resort and this area was chosen due to the depth
of the parcel, beach frontage and pedestrian connectivity
to the east to the Cayman Islands Yacht Club.
Critical to the preservation of the beach’s natural
movement is Dart Real Estate’s commitment to develop
the main components of the new resort east of the former
West Bay Road.
According to an economic impact study issued by Oxford
Economics on January 17, 2017, the five star resort and
residences will contribute a total economic impact of
over $600 million during its five year development
and construction.
The total development cost, including land acquisition,
pre-development costs, and construction costs will
exceed $465 million.
Conservatively estimated, the five star project would
sustain 800 jobs at its construction peak and support
1,254 direct and indirect positions in the tourism industry
once operations stabilise. Over 20 years, contributions to
the Cayman Islands GDP would exceed $1.7 billion or 2%
of GDP, 4% of jobs and 3% of direct revenues to CIG.
COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Minimal impact on the beach is acceptable to
Dart Real Estate as the landowner particularly when
coupled with setbacks for the main resort buildings east of
the former West Bay Road and the increased enjoyment of
the beach and the economic impact of the planned five
star resort development.
“
Dart Real Estate’s development history over the last
two decades is a testament to balancing economic
opportunity with environmental management and a
thoughtful approach.
Dart Real Estate is a conscientious steward of land and
resources and this application is designed to balance
environmental management and economic growth
through sustainable development.
Dart Real Estate is a conscientious steward of land
and resources and this application is designed to
balance environmental management and economic
growth through sustainable development.
”