Izzy
Senior Insider
A google translation of this week's front page news for Le Journal:
CESCE CONCERNS OVER THE FUTURE EMERAUDE PLAGE
by V.A 05/12/2019
The CESCE (Cultural, Environmental and Social Economic Council) has given an unfavorable opinion concerning the demolition and reconstruction of the hotel Emeraude Plage on the beach of Saint-Jean, recently bought by Le Barthélemy.
A big building project is looming on the beach of Saint-Jean. The tiled buildings of the Emeraude Plage hotel, bought by Le Barthélemy, must be completely demolished. The site will host a brand new establishment of twenty keys, with underground parking under the beach.
Asked by the Community, the Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Council of Saint-Barthélemy opposes the project as it was presented in a notice published last week on its website. The institution fears "negative and irreversible consequences on the environment. "
Excavation Problem
First, CESCE is concerned about the technical aspects. The project leader has obviously proposed several options to safely carry out the extensive search under the beach. A delicate operation because it must guarantee neighboring soils do not collapse. "Very heavy and flawless means of security will have to be used," says CESCE.
During the works, it will be necessary to pump the water from the basement into the excavated area. The builder provides filters and settling tanks to treat this water, so that it is as clean as possible when it is rejected. Inadequate according to the CESCE, which recommends a biological analysis carried out by the ATE, before each rejection, in order to avoid any pollution in the bay of Saint-Jean.
More broadly, the CESCE wonders about the long-term consequences of this construction, particularly on the movement of sand and the erosion of the beach. "This phenomenon was observed after the implementation of the sheet piles in front of the swimming pool of the hotel Filao. It is recognized that this is the reason why the sand has disappeared in front of Eden Rock ", explains the institution, which asks for a specific study on this point.
What housing for the future staff?
In another area, there is the question of staff and housing. The project leader indicated that he was studying the possibility of building new accommodations, and that pooling with those of the hotel Le Barthélemy would make things easier. The CESCE "proposes that the Collectivité impose on the petitioner the housing, on the site, of 50% of its seasonal staff". In terms of capacity, he points out that the project offers 23 keys, but has a total of fifty rooms (a key leading to several beds). The former Emeraude hotel had 26 rooms, including four dedicated to staff. "In the interest of personal safety, the living space should not accommodate more guests than the old establishment," considers CESCE.
Irma reminded him: Saint John Bay is very vulnerable in the event of a cyclonic event. "The CESCE wonders about the progress of the Natural Risk Prevention Plan (PPRN) for Saint-Barthélemy and recalls that in case of natural disaster, the responsibility of the Community could be engaged if it authorized a inadequate construction in an area known to be dangerous. "He suggested to the elected officials to oppose a stay of the application for planning permission for the Emerald Beach, pending the development of the PPRN. It must be adopted by the territorial council by November 2020 at the latest.
The CESCE also recommends lowering the height of buildings authorized by the sea, by modifying the planning map, as much to limit the impact of the wind in the event of cyclone as to preserve the landscape of the island.
Then comes the question of electricity supply. As for other luxury hotels, the energy provided by EDF will not be enough; the lack will be filled by generators. If the project includes the installation of solar water heaters, in particular, the CESCE supports the need to make this project an example in terms of energy mix.
Regarding sanitation, the project leader has planned to invest in a high-end equipment. That does not convince the institution so far: "The treatment plant, as efficient and modern as it is, will inevitably generate an increase in phosphate and nitrate levels in soils. The proportion of treated wastewater discharged at sea, however small, will thus promote the proliferation of green and brown algae and will have adverse effects on the marine environment, like the installations of Barthélemy and Christopher and their consequences on the environment. ecosystem of nearby areas. "
Finally, the institution suggests questioning the Territorial Tourism Committee about "the opportunity to increase the hotel offer in Saint-Barthélemy (...): does it have the means to accommodate more customers without this does it affect the quality? What about road traffic, parking, airport customer transport, water distribution and the electricity network ... "
Advisory only opinion
Conclusion: CESCE members, apart from Pierre Kirscher and Thierry Dutour, who did not participate in the debates to avoid a conflict of interest, express an unfavorable opinion.
An advisory opinion only, which must give grist to the mill for the elected executive council study of the application for a building permit.
Contacted, the project leader Emeraude Plage indicates that he is studying CESCE's remarks, but did not wish to comment on them at the moment.
CESCE CONCERNS OVER THE FUTURE EMERAUDE PLAGE
by V.A 05/12/2019
The CESCE (Cultural, Environmental and Social Economic Council) has given an unfavorable opinion concerning the demolition and reconstruction of the hotel Emeraude Plage on the beach of Saint-Jean, recently bought by Le Barthélemy.
A big building project is looming on the beach of Saint-Jean. The tiled buildings of the Emeraude Plage hotel, bought by Le Barthélemy, must be completely demolished. The site will host a brand new establishment of twenty keys, with underground parking under the beach.
Asked by the Community, the Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Council of Saint-Barthélemy opposes the project as it was presented in a notice published last week on its website. The institution fears "negative and irreversible consequences on the environment. "
Excavation Problem
First, CESCE is concerned about the technical aspects. The project leader has obviously proposed several options to safely carry out the extensive search under the beach. A delicate operation because it must guarantee neighboring soils do not collapse. "Very heavy and flawless means of security will have to be used," says CESCE.
During the works, it will be necessary to pump the water from the basement into the excavated area. The builder provides filters and settling tanks to treat this water, so that it is as clean as possible when it is rejected. Inadequate according to the CESCE, which recommends a biological analysis carried out by the ATE, before each rejection, in order to avoid any pollution in the bay of Saint-Jean.
More broadly, the CESCE wonders about the long-term consequences of this construction, particularly on the movement of sand and the erosion of the beach. "This phenomenon was observed after the implementation of the sheet piles in front of the swimming pool of the hotel Filao. It is recognized that this is the reason why the sand has disappeared in front of Eden Rock ", explains the institution, which asks for a specific study on this point.
What housing for the future staff?
In another area, there is the question of staff and housing. The project leader indicated that he was studying the possibility of building new accommodations, and that pooling with those of the hotel Le Barthélemy would make things easier. The CESCE "proposes that the Collectivité impose on the petitioner the housing, on the site, of 50% of its seasonal staff". In terms of capacity, he points out that the project offers 23 keys, but has a total of fifty rooms (a key leading to several beds). The former Emeraude hotel had 26 rooms, including four dedicated to staff. "In the interest of personal safety, the living space should not accommodate more guests than the old establishment," considers CESCE.
Irma reminded him: Saint John Bay is very vulnerable in the event of a cyclonic event. "The CESCE wonders about the progress of the Natural Risk Prevention Plan (PPRN) for Saint-Barthélemy and recalls that in case of natural disaster, the responsibility of the Community could be engaged if it authorized a inadequate construction in an area known to be dangerous. "He suggested to the elected officials to oppose a stay of the application for planning permission for the Emerald Beach, pending the development of the PPRN. It must be adopted by the territorial council by November 2020 at the latest.
The CESCE also recommends lowering the height of buildings authorized by the sea, by modifying the planning map, as much to limit the impact of the wind in the event of cyclone as to preserve the landscape of the island.
Then comes the question of electricity supply. As for other luxury hotels, the energy provided by EDF will not be enough; the lack will be filled by generators. If the project includes the installation of solar water heaters, in particular, the CESCE supports the need to make this project an example in terms of energy mix.
Regarding sanitation, the project leader has planned to invest in a high-end equipment. That does not convince the institution so far: "The treatment plant, as efficient and modern as it is, will inevitably generate an increase in phosphate and nitrate levels in soils. The proportion of treated wastewater discharged at sea, however small, will thus promote the proliferation of green and brown algae and will have adverse effects on the marine environment, like the installations of Barthélemy and Christopher and their consequences on the environment. ecosystem of nearby areas. "
Finally, the institution suggests questioning the Territorial Tourism Committee about "the opportunity to increase the hotel offer in Saint-Barthélemy (...): does it have the means to accommodate more customers without this does it affect the quality? What about road traffic, parking, airport customer transport, water distribution and the electricity network ... "
Advisory only opinion
Conclusion: CESCE members, apart from Pierre Kirscher and Thierry Dutour, who did not participate in the debates to avoid a conflict of interest, express an unfavorable opinion.
An advisory opinion only, which must give grist to the mill for the elected executive council study of the application for a building permit.
Contacted, the project leader Emeraude Plage indicates that he is studying CESCE's remarks, but did not wish to comment on them at the moment.
