A hearing concluded yesterday regarding a significant project at Cedar Tree Point, which could either proceed or be halted.

The Barbudan fisherman George Jeffrey is challenging the Development Control Authority of Antigua and Barbuda, supported by the Global Legal Action Network from the UK.

The focus of the case is what Jeffrey deems an unlawful decision to approve construction adjacent to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, an internationally recognized area within the Codrington Lagoon National Park, and a designated Ramsar wetland site.

During the hearing, Attorney Leslie Thomas, representing Jeffery, argued that the court should invalidate the development permit based on four core issues, primarily related to alleged non-compliance with environmental and planning laws. Thomas highlighted that the government had violated specific legal requirements outlined in the Environmental Protection and Management Act and the Physical Planning Act, particularly by failing to publish the environmental impact assessment in the public registry, as required by law.

In defense of the DCA, attorney Anthony Astaphan argued that the agency acted correctly and that the issues raised were procedural rather than substantive.

He suggested that the court order to correct any minor errors would suffice, maintaining that sufficient consultation had taken place and that the development was aligned with established planning goals, despite the concerns raised by the DoE.