The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The developer behind the $200m Rosewood project for Exuma says it believes itself and a neighbouring resort can “co-exist” despite accusing the latter of spreading “misinformation” about its development.

Felipe MacLean, founder of the Yntegra Group, reaffirmed his and Rosewood’s commitment to ensuring their Sampson Cay project maintains the highest environmental standards despite concerns raised by the neighbouring Turtlegrass Resort and its principal, Bob Coughlin.

The latter has been outspoken about his concerns over the Rosewood development, and has threatened to halt work on his $75m project and abandon his ambitions if he is ignored. A formal petition started by Eric Carey, consultant for Turtlegrass, was submitted to the Government demanding that environmental approvals be denied until a more comprehensive study of the project’s impact is conducted.

The petition argues that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), released in July 2024, lacks a proper analysis of the seabed dredging required for the project. It states that Yntegra has failed to provide sufficient detail on how dredging — estimated at 240,000 cubic yards — will affect marine ecosystems despite the EIA acknowledging that the activity will have a severe negative impact on the marine environment.

Environmentalists say the dredging will destroy seagrass beds, wetlands and marine habitats, potentially altering the underwater landscape of East Sampson Cay.

Mr Coughlin said he has met with Prime Minister Philip Davis KC and Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister, twice, as well as with Mr MacLean but asserted that the conversations failed to produce meaningful action. Mr MacLean confirmed he has met with Mr Cooper and Mr Coughlin, and is still open to meeting with Turtlegrass Resort to work out any issues.

He argued that both projects can co-exist on Sampson Cay, and maintained that both the Government and Rosewood will ensure all environmental concerns are mitigated.

“I’ve always said ‘yes’ to a meeting with Bob Coughlin. We’ve answered every single message that we have received. We believe that both projects can co-exist. They’re very different projects, but both can co-exist, and we should be able to co-exist,” said Mr MacLean.

“When you work with these top brands, you have the highest standards. The highest standards for back of the house, the highest standards for protecting environment and being sustainable. That’s the reason that these brands get famous and grow, and they win awards.

“People look into that, so you can be sure that, of course, we’re going to have the highest standards, and we’re going to do everything that we can to mitigate any environmental issues. And it’s not only because we have to by the Government, but also by the standards of the brand.”

Mr MacLean said Rosewood Sampson Cay is a “transformational” project for Exuma that is expected generate over $336m in salaries for island residents. He added that the project is low density and will have a “high impact” on the lives of residents who are eager for construction to begin on the $200m development.

“This is a transformational project in the Exumas; a transformational project that is going to have a huge impact on the community. It’s a low-density project, but with high impact. It’s high impact because it’s going to generate 400 jobs. It’s going to generate $336m of salaries straight to the pockets of Exumians,” said Mr MacLean.

“We’re going to have 100, maybe 150 people, working with us in a small town, beautiful, with the right infrastructure for our staff. We want to attract the best staff that we can. We’re bringing a brand like Rosewood that commands the highest standards in the world, highest standards for our back of the house, highest standards for our environmental commitment, highest standards for our clients, for our staff. That’s our vision, for Exuma. We want quality over quantity”

Staff that live in Exuma will be ferried to Sampson Cay, while employees residing in other islands will be housed in the units on site. The project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is currently under review by the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), and a public consultation was held last week by the Town Planning Committee on site plans.

Mr MacLean said Exuma residents are yearning for “progress”, evidenced by the support shown at the recent public consultation. He added that the developer has been working on the project for four years, and trusts that its local environmental consultants and the DEPP will ensure plans meet the highest environmental standards.

“The Exumas is for the people from Exuma, and Exuma is looking for progress. We are all for progress and responsible progress. We trust in the local people, the local companies, the local consultants, the local environmental consultants,” said Mr MacLean.

“We trust in the Government agencies, and we’ve been following to the teeth every single aspect of the guidelines of the rules of the process. We’ve been here four years already working on this project. This is a project that is very unique and transformational for this community, and that matters a lot, and matters a lot to the people.”