Developer denies claims of beach access being prohibited
A local developer has rejected claims that access to the beach in Hall Pike was ever denied, stating that ongoing roadworks were misinterpreted as an attempt to block entry.
On Thursday, Antigua.news was called in by Chantelle Winter, owner of the west coast attraction Pigs Paradise, who recently relocated her operations in the area, after she halted operations at a previous location last year.
She said the situation disrupted her livelihood, as access to the beach is central to her business.
But according to the developer, the work involved improving drainage in the area after what he described as alterations to the landscape disrupted the natural flow of water.
He explained that a trench was dug and filled with stones to allow proper drainage and prevent flooding, while additional repairs were carried out to fill large holes along the roadway.
The developer said delays due to technical issues extended the work into the following day, which may have led to confusion among residents.
“Toxic interpretation is that we blocked beach access,” he said, maintaining that this was “technically incorrect,” as the beach remained accessible from the left side of the road. He further noted that on the same day access was allegedly restricted, business activity was still taking place on the beach.
Developer says road boulders was due to maintenance work
He also raised concerns about unauthorised activity in the area, alleging that business owner Chantelle Winter had used heavy equipment to clear land she did not own, based on what he described as an assumption that a roadway previously existed there.
The issue came to public attention on Thursday when Antigua.news was called to the scene, where several residents and fishermen had gathered, claiming that large boulders placed along the pathway prevented access to the beach.
While access has since been cleared and normal activity resumed, the developer also questioned the type of commercial activity taking place at the site.
He referenced legal arguments suggesting that while recreation, swimming, and general enjoyment are typical uses of the foreshore, the presence of pigs may be considered an “exceptional” use due to potential offensive odours and waste.
According to that position, individuals are entitled to enjoy the beach without discomfort caused by smells or environmental concerns, even if such impacts are limited to a specific area.
Meanwhile, in 2025, Winter found herself in a similar predicament involving a legal dispute over land use and access.
Documents reviewed by Antigua.news show that in October 2025, a property owner at Hall Pike reported that Winter had instructed workers using heavy equipment to clear a pathway on privately owned land without permission.
A site visit conducted at the time documented fresh clearing of mangroves, the creation of a roadway approximately 12 feet wide and 170 feet deep, and activity by individuals who said they were “clearing the road.”
The property owner maintained that the land was private and that no approval had been granted for such works, despite claims that the clearing was intended to restore beach access.
In related legal arguments, it was also noted that the type of commercial activity associated with Winter’s business—particularly involving pigs on the beach—could be considered an “exceptional” use of the foreshore, rather than a common and ordinary use such as swimming or recreation.
Road boulders have since been cleared
The developer in the current matter echoed similar concerns, questioning both the legality of land clearing and the environmental and public health implications of operating a pig-based attraction on a public beach.
While access has since been cleared and normal activity resumed, the situation has reignited broader debate over public beach access, private property rights, and the type of commercial activity deemed appropriate along Antigua and Barbuda’s coastline.
Is this the same lady who have the pigs swimming in water as a tourist attraction? I always found that business weird but im staying in my lane