Grenada takes back beach area from Lewis Hamilton and others

Maintaining a vow to control much of the lands at Grenada’s world famous Grand Anse Beach area, the governing National Democratic Party (NDC) administration has taken back a portion of lands the previous government had given to British Formula One race car champion Lewis Hamilton and will bring it under aegis of the state.

Local media reported this week that the land was also linked to Trinidadian hotelier Issa Nicholas who is among the principals of the nearby Radisson Grand Beach Resort and The Tim Bourke Grenada Holdings. The Radisson is located on the very plot of land, about 20 acres.

Nearly three months ago, the Dickon Mitchell government had served notice to anyone who would listen that authorities were planning to ban the sale of lands on that protected beach area so the move now is in keeping with that pledge of ending the practice of leasing or sale of lands in that area.

Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell. Courtesy Government of Grenada

Notices to the effect have twice been published in the official gazette with a clause indicating that the land is being acquired by the state for the purpose of “securing of a strategic asset of the state to further enhance the hotel stock in Grenada. It is hereby declared by the governor-general acting in accordance with the advice of the cabinet of Grenada that upon the second publication of this declaration in the government gazette, the freehold interest in reversion or whatsoever interest that is now held by Time Bourke Holdings (Grenada) Limited in the property mentioned and described in the schedule hereto shall be acquired for the above-mentioned public purpose, and shall vest absolutely in the crown,” said the 18 August publication.

Lewis Hamilton has Grenadian roots and usually lets the world know of this. He had planned to acquire the property from Nicholas and reportedly turn it into a world class facility but the entire process was not followed through. PM Mitchell says the time has come to end the sale of all lands on the beach, allowing only permits for land leases rather than outright sales. The publication says that Hamilton had wanted authorities to review the price of the property because he believes it was overvalued.

Mitchell had argued that “the beach is our legacy, we have to preserve it for the next generation of Grenadians and we should discourage the outright sale of freehold land on Grand Anse beach. This is an issue that we feel very strongly about and we think it is important that Grenadians understand that we support their right to ensure that certain aspects of Grenada are preserved for all eternity for Grenadians. I am saying that there are certain areas that are so iconic, so instrumental in our history, our identity as a people that we should as a state look to retain control over these areas for eternity rather than just simply sell them off into private hands.”

This is the second time in a decade that an NDC administration has moved to take land from Bourke Holdings, with the first being during its 2008-13 term in office. A court had dismissed the attempt.