A quarrel is developing between all-inclusive giant Sandals and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) over alleged breaches of local environmental laws by one of its resorts.

NEPA has taken enforcement action against the Sandals Royal Caribbean hotel in Montego Bay, for failing to obtain an environmental permit for the construction of a new block of rooms.

Breached enviro law

The enforcement order was served on the hotel two Thursdays ago, after it was allegedly observed that the hotel had breached environmental laws and gone ahead with construction of an 18-room block.

NEPA said an application was received from the St James Parish Council in November last year for the agency to make comments and recommendations on a preliminary application to extend the hotel, but it had not yet granted an environmental permit to the hotel.

"NEPA provided comments to the St James Parish Council in December 2007, recommending the grant of an outline planning approval on the condition that a detailed application is made," a statement to The Gleaner read. "Sandals Royal Caribbean submitted an application for an environmental permit for the renovation of a hotel on May 28, 2008."

The project includes the refurbishing of one block and the demolition of another to construct a new three-storey block. This kind of development requires an environmental permit under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Permit and Licence Regulations.

Did nothing wrong

In a two-page response to the issue yesterday, Sandals Resorts said it was given approval to start construction of the blocks by the St James Parish Council in a letter dated December 21 last year and, therefore, did nothing wrong.

It said it was told by the parish council, in that letter, to advise the superintendent of roads and works in writing three days before it intended to commence construction.

That was done and the hotel began construction in January this year.

It was not until five months later, Sandals said, that it was told by NEPA that it needed an environmental permit to construct the rooms. On learning of the requirement, it made an application for the permit, but still received a letter on June 30 from NEPA, warning it to suspend work at the site.

"The matter which really needs clarification is how and with what sense of urgency do connected Government agencies communicate with each other," Sandals said in its release. "It appears to us in this case that NEPA and the St James Parish Council are operating at cross purposes."

Mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair, told The Gleaner last week that Sandals was only granted an outline planning approval.