Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

A section of the beachfront property on which Negril Peninsula will be developed. - Contributed

Developers of a 6,702-room resort slated for Negril's West End have got the go-ahead from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), but still have to hurdle local planning authorities.

Negril Peninsula, a US$1 billion mixed-use development on the drawing board for at least a year, has been given a "clean bill of health", according to Charles Broomfield, director of Negril Peninsula Resorts Limited (NPRL), based in London.

Broomfield says he is partnering with United Kingdom developers David Walker and Richard Pierce, on the deal.

NEPA's authorisation, said the NPRL director, includes construction of 1,202 residential units, a 170-slip marina, commercial offices, bars and restaurants and "most importantly, a lot of recreational space".

NPRL will next take its plans to the local Westmoreland Parish Council for approval.

"And that we are working on at the moment, and will be submitted for approval during the next few months. It is anticipated a construction start could take place very early next year," said Walker, an equity partner.

Wedderburns

The 361 acres on which the development will be located is known as Wedderburns, part of the Retreat Estate.

NPRL acquired the property which fronts the coast and stretches for 1.2 kilometres from Westmoreland businessman William Hogg.

Tagged an ecotourism resort, the development was first unveiled in May 2007.

"The plan is also to ensure none of the three hotels being built will be more than 100 rooms, complemented by fully serviced, fully managed privately owned three-bedroom villas, in addition to condominiums," said Broomfield.

Construction is expected to last five-eight years, in four overlapping phases, with the first phase to be done in three years.

Phases two and three will see the construction of both a spa hotel and another 760 residential units. The property will also sport nature trails and a conservation area, and the developers also hope to create five coves along the 'virgin' beachfront.

Much of Negril is ecologically sensitive wetlands.

Broomfield said the Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society has been given the responsibility to ensure all "checks and balances" were understood and observed.

Planning regulators

Site preparation work, he said, should commence within six months, subject to approval by planning regulators.

"We will be identifying the significant flora and fauna, which must be protected during these enabling works to ensure that the nature of this location is preserved before going forward into the construction phases," he told Wednesday Business.

The developers are projecting that Negril Peninsula should pull in sales of US$1.5 billion per year.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com