Grenadian Authorities have dismantled an unauthorised wooden structure on Crown lands along the La Sagesse beachfront in St. David’s on Wednesday, clearing the way for future development projects.
The structure, which housed a shop and bar, belonged to Imron Smart, who officials say repeatedly ignored eviction notices over the past two years.
Director of Lands and Surveys George Skerritt has confirmed that Smart had been operating his business without the necessary approvals on a site earmarked for further development by Range Developments, the company behind the upcoming five-star InterContinental Grenada Resort, set to open later this year.
He revealed that the small business owner had been served several eviction notices over the last two years, dismissing Smart’s claims that he had been operating on the La Sagesse beachfront for the past 15 years.
“Mr. Smart has been served several notices to cease and desist his operation at the site which he has all failed to comply with,” he said.
“The last notice would’ve been issued last week I think on the 12th giving him 72 hours to remove the structure and his belongings from this site…he is posing an obstruction to the development,” he added.
Officials from the Physical Development Authority (PDA) and the Lands and Surveys Division Anti-Squatting Unit supervised the removal, working in collaboration with a team from Range Developments.
Managing Partner of Range Development Kamal Shehada revealed that the wooden structure was on the property when he purchased the land from the government four (4) years ago.
According to Shehada, Smart has declined several offers from him including money and manpower to help him move his business elsewhere.
“He has turned down so many offers … just yesterday I told him we will dismantle, and move it for you… and I will give you $10,000.00 just to move, and he turned everything down because he said it’s his land,” said the hotel operator.
Smart’s shop is the second unauthorised structure to be dismantled in recent weeks on the island.
Approximately one month ago, authorities demolished a new two-story concrete building on Grand Anse beachfront, which belonged to Keith Frank, a vendor who claimed to have been doing business on the beach for over 20 years.
Officials stress that anyone wishing to erect structures on state lands must first secure written permission from the Ministry of Agriculture, which manages Crown lands.
“You are considered a squatter if you do not have written permission from the Minister of Agriculture, and where you have been served notice to quit, you need to adhere to the notice and act as stipulated in the event that you go back and re-erect the structure then it is a matter that would move to the court, and you can be both fined, and confined for this kind of behavior,” Skerrit warned.
