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Water worries over Merricks
An artist's impression of how the proposed resort at Merrick's would look. (FP)
Published on: 10/8/2009.
A NEW US$300-$400 million hotel project planned for Merricks, St Philip will mean more than 1 500 new jobs and about 1 200 new rooms for the tourist industry.
But several Barbadians are convinced the biggest hurdle will be the project's heavy water demand, estimated at more than 260 000 gallons daily.
During a public meeting at Bayley's Primary School Tuesday evening, St Philip residents received retails about the project and got a chance to air concerns about water distribution and access to the nearby beach.
Documents which the developer Harlequin Hotels & Resorts released at the three-hour meeting showed that more than 750 people would be employed during the construction phase and 1 500 will be needed to operate the complex that includes a five-star hotel.
In a presentation to the estimated 150 people, David Senior of architects Robertson Ward Associates Limited said the development would put a total of 1 242 beds on the market.
The tourist complex includes three hotel blocks, eight apartment blocks, 18 "plantation" houses, 42 one-bedroom cabanas, a 500-seat conference room, restaurants, shops and a spa village.
In an interview afterwards, Chairman of Harlequin, Dave Ames, told the DAILY NATION that the company is expected to spend between US$300 million and US$400 million on the Merricks project.
In a presentation on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, Andy Gill of town planners and development consultants Richard Gill Associates Limited pegged the daily water requirement for the complex at 268 000 US gallons.
He said the developers were looking to the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), rain water catching and water recycling to meet the demand.
But at least three people attending the meeting, called by the developers to give details of the EIA report, urged the company to set up a water desalination plant to supplement supplies from the BWA.
They argued that St Philip was not known for regular, heavy rainfall and even residents sometimes had problems obtaining an adequate supply of piped water.
St Philip resident Stafford Alleyne was the first to suggest a desalination plant, saying, "We don't get much rain...."
Other residents spoke of occasional problems with getting a steady flow of water from their taps, with one recalling having to collect water at night, when the pressure was higher.
Civil engineer Ralph Adams, who is working with the project, said that a desalination plant had not been ruled out as an option but a close look would have to be taken at disposal of the brine.
A big concern before the meeting was whether construction of the tourist complex would end the access which Bajans have to the Merricks beach.
After the concern was raised last year, Minister of Housing and Lands, Michael Lashley, threatened to compulsorily acquire property from any developer to ensure continued access to beaches by locals.
However, the meeting heard that the developers would construct a road on one side of the property to give locals access to the beach.
One highlight of the meeting was a fiery speech by evangelist and realtor Gordon Matthews, complaining about how tourist developments were "inflating" the value of surrounding properties and forcing locals to sell because they cannot pay the higher land tax that results.
The Town Planning Department is yet to decide on the application for permission to build the complex. It will consider factors including the EIA report and the concerns of people living in Merricks. (TY)
18 comment found!
: 10/8/2009
It is comments like this from Industrious that annoys me!!! How is Mr. Matthews here trying to keep "us" down? Exactly how? With your title name it sounds like you are just looking for a get rich quick scheme! I think that you should rethink your comment and make a much more intelligent and sensible contribution!! UWI (cavehill) student
Merrick : 10/8/2009
Dont we have a number off unfinished hotels, with employee,s being owed money? Why do we need another hotel/ How about crowding in the area, traffic, worse of all the water problem. A road to the side for beach access sound more like a path, and bajan being sideline again so that some new interest can make money at our expense. Please no more hotels...
These fields and hills.... : 10/8/2009
I agree with Zermatt that going green should be considered to make this project more eco friendly and by using more recyle products.Rain water is a good example but what about a lot of the water that is used in people's homes? I also agree with bajan48, why can we not use existing buildings that we have and just improve on them? create more jobs that supports all educational levels? I think that we have a lot of foreign investments on the island that really the money is not trickling down to the people. So can we truly call it development? I also think that what we need to do is to preserve some of the land so that we can proudly claim the hills and fields that are supposed to be our own. Barbados needs infrastructure, better roads, better side walks, better areas for people to walk, ride, jog. We do not need another hotel.
to Water Blues : 10/8/2009
Why would the Government approve it? Are you serious? So that ALL the people who are not working that used to be at Four Seasons will now have jobs. The economy being 'Grey' is yet another reason to allow them to build. They will pump money and jobs into the economy. You clearly as not very smart.
FIX THE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS FIRST : 10/8/2009
I'm so happy for my home village. I just hope and I pray they don't blocked me from going to Bottom Bay. when I come for my regular visit. Then I'll have to get Gabby to write me a song but you know what not gabby. But my hometown boy Red Plastic Bag instead. Plus with so many people moving into Merricks, I want Mr Prime Minister, Mr. David Thompson to fix the drainage and the wells before this project start. Too many people are having their homes flooded when it rains. Right now Merricks is getting too crowded. Bajan/Canadian/from Merricks.
development : 10/8/2009
I have been out of the island for a long time. Do we need this project at this time. People are not moving around as much as before because of the lost of jobs. In my opinion this hotel would be closed out of season. What are you going to do with all these people that are laid off.What about Samlords Castle can this be put back into use.How about Paradise beach hotel when is this going to be finished. Would you be able to buy land in Barbados anymore. I see a house spot cost one hundred and sixteen thousand dollars for little over five thousand square feet.All I would like to know is how are we going to pay for all of this. We import more that we export. Can these lands be used for growing more food and cut that food import bill. I am minding my business but I would just like to know.We have a problen with water supply when we use up all this water would this affect the rest of the island. Bjan48 Arkansas
ANOTHER HOTEL!!! : 10/8/2009
DO WE ACTUALLY NEED ANOTHER HOTEL ANYWHERE IN BARBADOS? IT IS ABOUT TIME BAJANS REALIZE HARLEQUIN REALLY COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT DISRUPTING THEIR LIVES, AND YES, GETTING THEIR LAND FROM THEM FOR PEANUTS. PROMISES OF JOBS,CONTINUAL ACCESS TO THE BEACH ETC IS ALL TALK..WHICH IS CHEAP! THIS HOTEL SHOULD NOT BE BUILT. BAJANS NEED TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO CREATE JOBS OUTSIDE OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY AS A WAY OF HAVING SOMETHING TO FALL BACK ON IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.
Hotel : 10/8/2009
If town and planning pass this one.....give your head another shake. Another big hotel on the island - how about doing something with Sam Lord's. That once employed enough locals. What a shame.
water worries : 10/8/2009
Bajan people- I have repeated this several times before in this newspapers. Ask Thompson what is RJ Burnside (the Canadian water consultants) doing about these water worries...they were awarded a contract to solve the water problem...Thompson stop playing games and tell the people what's going on...you raised water rates but services got worse...the taxpayers of this country demand an explanation...NOW!!
new hotel in Barbados : 10/8/2009
What about the marine turtles nesting on many beaches of Barbados?
Seeing is Believing : 10/8/2009
I'll believe this when I see it, the last time I was this excited was for the coming of the Four Seasons. In the economic crisis vacations and travelling will be the last thing to improve, although I am pleased at the idea of such a project in St.Philip (since there really is only one Hotel in the parish, that would be The Crane), I'm doubtful that this is the time.
Need the jobs : 10/8/2009
I hope this gets going. The economy could do with the foreign exchange and new investment and the construction industry could do with the extra jobs created by this project. It will get people back to work, off of welfare and reduce crime. Get on it and stop lagging. I also wish Mr Matthews would not be against local land owners becoming rich from their property prices going up! He trying to keep us down. I wish someone would buy my land and make me a millionaire. It would be a tough problem to have to deal with as he says!
Green Building : 10/8/2009
The company should contruct a "green" building where rain water is captured from the roof and used for washing, irrigation, etc. They should also recycle the waste water and use it for similar purposes. This would allow them to reduce their carbon foot print as well as ease the concerns of folk in Merricks.
: 10/8/2009
TO: the way I se IT....IS THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING THE NEW HOTEL? I DON'T THINK SO! READ!!!!!!!!!!
Hotel in Merricks : 10/8/2009
Wow, this is of great joy to have a hotel in St. Philip, next we need a hospital, and a fire station, do you know that lots of people migrated to St. Philip from all of the different parishes, St. Joseph, St. Thomas, St. Andrew, St. Peter, and many more. I lived here in Canada, and I don't even know a lot of people who lives in my parish, St. Philip. Keep up the good work. Thank you. It is high time. Bajan Canadian
Coastal footpath : 10/8/2009
I am disappointed this article makes no mention of the clifftop walk past this development. Harlequin say they are going to leave a 50m to 60m swathe of land all along the cifftop, undeveloped and open to the public. They have withdrawn a boardwalk (and a groyne in the sea) for environmental reasons. I trust this swathe is not reduced to 2m when they begin construction! I heard nothing about their security plans for this front, a wall will be built around the land side. Harlequin say they want the residents to be able to mix with the locals.
Semantics : 10/8/2009
Daily water usage of 268,000 US gallons or 1,014,490 "bajan" liters...now which one sounds more ominous?
WATER BLUES : 10/8/2009
Why on earth would the Goverment of Barbados consider give the okay for a new hotel when the economy is still grey and a massive project (hotel) on the island still on hold? The people of St.Phillip deserve to know the real facts about the project,I'm quite sure the water supply will be gravely effected.The jobs their talked about is seasonal and low paying.
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