News

Beach Access Row erupts on New Year’s Day at popular Turks and Caicos beach

Published

6 years ago

January 2, 2018

January 2, 2018 – #Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – Confrontations on #TaylorBayBeach in Chalk Sound are escalating over what could be considered sloppy handling of a bit of legislation which leaves a legal loophole to shut locals and visitors out of enjoying one of the top coastal spots in Providenciales.

Cell phone video circulated today chronicled a potentially explosive situation where an apparent property owner was telling residents to get off of the beach, accusing them of ‘trespassing on his property’. The man, who identifies himself, suggested that a locked gate should have kept the beach party-goers from entering onto the secluded beach in this vacation villa rental hot spot.

Magnetic Media received video and commentary on the volatile incident, where those offended by the situation said, “What made us furious was that, at this same beach there was about eight tourist families who also entered the beach the same way we did, he called the security and told us that we can’t be on the beach because we were trespassing… so I went to ask (for) myself and they too said that no one told them anything and that they were just relaxing on the beach. Same thing we were doing, so I told him it’s because we were black…”

The homeowner in question denied that skin colour was the reason for his stance, but the group of islanders was unconvinced and posted the videos and their thoughts about the incident on social media.

Magnetic Media received it about a dozen times from different residents who were outraged that public access to a TCI beach could be denied anyone.

Our queries to a few lawyers led to replies that explain there is ambiguity in the law which desperately needs sorting out. One attorney said to Magnetic Media, “Wherever there is a designated beach access, no one can prevent you from accessing that beach, once it’s a Government designated beach access like the Kids Park or the one at Sibonne.”

And therein lies the problem… Taylor Bay Beach has no designation.

Although the beach is public, there is no public beach access therefore the land one traverses to get onto the beach is private. This privately owned property can be gated and anyone accessing it without permission is therefore ‘trespassing’.

The problem with this position in this specific case is that the homeowner captured in that cell phone video recording also repeatedly said the beach property was his; by law that is impossible.

It is shared with MM that the Chalk Sound Home Owners Association had met with the PDM Administration about the problem early on in their tenure and that government was asked to address the matter; it remains unresolved with a promise that legislative changes are due within the first part of 2018.

What has been done, happened in Cabinet since February 2017; “Cabinet approved a moratorium on commercial construction applications along waterfronts to determine how those constructions are impacting the public’s access to the beach.”

Nearly a year later, the approval freeze is seemingly still in place but the rows continue.

Mark Fulford, vocal attorney and community activist issued his own statement, which in part says, “The residents of chalk sound can’t seem to catch a break. Yesterday it was the landing of an illegal sloop now today it is Belongers including our very own Miss Turks and Caicos Islands being chased off one of our beaches. The law as it relates to our beaches is crystal clear like our waters, which is that all beaches are public. The ambiguity and confusion surrounds access to the beach in the form of legally registered easement known as beach access over the land towards the beach. All public beach access needs to be registered with the land registry.”

Fulford, like others who reached out to Magnetic Media is calling for Government to acquire the sliver of land necessary to give the public legal access to Taylor Bay Beach in hopes of putting an end the squabbling and securing legitimate passage to the popular spot.

Magnetic Media also reached out to the PDM Administration and Constituency Representative for comment or an update on the vexing issue. Up to news publication time, there was none.

Incidentally, there are a string of tourist posted photographs about Taylor Bay Beach on TripAdvisor showing the gate, mounds of rock and other blockades to public access with negative reviews. Taylor Bay Beach ranks #5 of 81 of the best things to do in Providenciales, with a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor.

HEADLINE PHOTO, from TripAdvisor posted August 2017 by a ‘disappointed’ tourist

News

InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.