Tensions continue to rise in Anse La Raye as residents voice strong opposition to a proposed quarry development in the community, with concerns mounting over land ownership, environmental impact, and the lack of public consultation.
Speaking on behalf of worried residents, community member Alexander Hickvictorin questioned the transparency of the project and the identities of those behind the proposed development.
“Who are the people coming into our community, and where are they coming from?” Hickvictorin asked. “Have the residents who live here and depend on this land been consulted in any way, shape, or form?”
He said residents remain in the dark about the project’s exact location, its potential boundaries, and who would be directly affected. He also expressed concern over what he described as the sudden appearance of unfamiliar individuals in the area.
“These are faces we have never seen before. They are foreigners to us. We don’t know them,” Hick said. “So, who is the developer? How did he get permission to come in here and disrupt what belongs to the people?”
The resident further questioned whether the government was supporting the initiative and whether individuals connected to the land, including heirs with historical claims to the area, have been consulted or even properly identified.
“Have the rightful owners of these properties been heard, yes or no?” he asked.
Environmental concerns also form a central part of the community’s objections. Residents fear the quarry could damage coastal ecosystems, marine life, and nearby rivers, threatening livelihoods that depend on fishing, farming, and tourism.
“We are talking about land people inherited, land they rely on to survive. Has anyone come to the community to explain clearly what this project means and what the consequences will be?”
The community continue at a town hall meeting vehemently expressed their strong opposition to consultants acting on behalf of the developers.
An application for the quarry is currently before the Development Control Authority (DCA); however, approval has not yet been granted. The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), along with other concerned agencies and the Minister for Tourism, has publicly expressed opposition to the proposed quarry at Anse Cochon.
