It's a new high end resort called "Ara Macao," Spanish for scarlet Macaw, one of Belize's natural treasures, but a community group in Placencia says that nature is the last thing on the minds of the developers. The project on the Placencia peninsula will see the construction of a 260 room hotel, 298 villas and 458 condos as well as a golf course and a marina.
By any measure, it's a massive project, and a massive uproar is accompanying it. The opposition comes mainly from a community-based organization called the Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Development. Their concern centers over the environmental impact that a development of this magnitude will have on the peninsula both economically and environmentally. That, coupled with the development's proposal of building a marina that will be able to accommodate as many as 400 boats up to 100 feet long is another major concern. Today area representative and the man in the middle of the debate, Rodwell Ferguson told us that from his viewpoint there is little to be concerned about.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative
"I share the sentiment of all the people, their concerns, and when you look at the development, it's a project that will create opportunities. I think the major concern is the marina and the Department of Environment will do their study and then that will be taken into consideration. But while the sentiments are there, I believe it is a very good project but once it is properly managed, I believe it can go through."
Alfonso Noble,
People are claiming that this project will in fact leave out those people in the area and will in fact will bring unwanted development in the area. Your response to that.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson,
"I think first of all the people have to be properly sensitized. We have looked at the Peninsula and development has been happening there over the last 25 years."
Alfonso Noble,
But not on this scale.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson,
"Yeah maybe not on this scale but if you combine all those projects together it might be even bigger than this scale. You complain about the mangrove but as we travel the peninsula we see that the entire mangrove has been taken down and nobody has made any complaints about it. So I believe that if (there is) proper consultation and we get the people involved, we can definitely get this project through with their support and at the same time beneficial to them. I would say the biggest concern is the marina. If that can be addressed, then I believe the majority of people will be in support of it."
For more on the controversial project, you can read the Environmental Impact Assessment..
