The Ministry of Health and Environment is allowing the developers of the Gran Bahía Príncipe to resubmit an application for construction of Phase Two of the hotel.

The ministry's decision comes following an appeal by the developers, Hoteles Jamaica de Pinero (HOJAPI), after their permit to construct Phase Two of the nearly 2,000-room hotel was rescinded by the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) in late 2006. The developers were found to be in breach of various guidelines of its Phase-One permit, one of which led to the deadly collapse of a section of the hotel earlier in 2006.

In a letter dated December 21, 2007, to lawyers representing HOJAPI, the ministry said that after a review of the case presented by both parties, a decision was taken to vary the decision of the NRCA, which was made pursuant of Section 35 of the NRCA Act.

The ministry will allow HOJAPI Limited to consult with the public with respect to two documents assessing the environmental risks of the project. The documents will be circulated in accordance with NRCA guidelines within 14 days of January 2 this year.

"The results of this consultation will inform the authority's decision in respect of HOJAPI Limited's permit application for the construction of Phase Two of the Gran Bahía Príncipe Hotel," the ministry said in the letter.