⚽ Proposed sports field threatens wetland oasis in 7MB area

A planning application by Dart to construct a 710sqft professional-grade AstroTurf football pitch, including a pavilion, changing rooms, and a practice field, is causing concern among local activists. The proposed site is one of the last remaining wetland areas in the Seven Mile Beach corridor, serving as a drainage area for several low-lying and low-density neighborhoods. It is also home to a diverse range of local flora and fauna. The Central Planning Authority will only consider objections from owners within one thousand feet of the proposed sports ground, but activists are encouraging everyone to voice their objections to the Department of Planning, their member of parliament, and Dart. 🌳

The wetland area acts as a boundary between the Esterley Tibbetts Highway and the growing urban sprawl on the southern end of the West Bay Road. It provides protection from flooding for low-lying communities and serves as a buffer for the Jasmine Hospice from the ETH. Activists fear that the tranquility of the hospice will be disrupted if the project goes ahead. In 2022, the wetland site was nominated for purchase by the government under the National Conservation Act and is still under consideration for protection. 🏞️

Local resident and environmental advocate Laura Egglishaw has urged the community to express their concerns to their MPs, as the project could have a much wider impact on residents beyond the 1,000-foot objection zone. The site is home to various species of birds, land animals, and fish, and Egglishaw believes it should not only be saved from this potential project but should become a protected area. Em DeCou, a leading member of local activist group Amplify Cayman, has also voiced concerns about the proposed development, highlighting the importance of preserving critical ecosystems for future generations. 🐦