BARBUDANS CLAIM they are being “ethnically cleansed” by developers seeking to turn their Caribbean island paradise into a playground for multi-millionaires.

Around two dozen Barbudans packed out a London court recently to challenge an East Caribbean supreme court ruling that effectively no one on the island had the right to challenge the destruction.

Lawyers believe this is a test case with the potential to swing the balance in favour of locals across the Caribbean being denied access to their own beaches, including in Jamaica. Five law lords, representing the Crown’s Privy Council, heard claims that Barbudans were being unfairly denied the right to challenge the construction of a private airport to serve the super-rich.

John Mussington, a local marine biologist, was visited by police after asking whether there was a permit which allowed for the  destruction of 300 acres of previously untouched forest on the island the court heard.

Intimidation

UK lawyers for the Barbudans, working pro bono, reported inintimidation from private security and police on a fact-finding visit to the island earlier this year.

Dr David Dorsett, representing the Barbudan Development Control Authority, the Antigua and Barbuda Airports Authority and the islands’ Attorney General, admitted there was no public consultation, but insisted this was lawful.

Lord Leggatt expressed exasperation that Mussington, from the Codrington village situated two miles away from the airport, was being denied the legal right to challenge the airport construction on grounds he did not have “sufficient interest” in the development.

Billions of US dollars-worth of development is said to have been invested, with around 400 luxury properties retailing at up to US$10 million each. Former boxer Mike Tyson is believed to have pulled out of buying a property on the island over sympathy with Barbudans struggling against the developers.

Planning permission for the airport was granted retrospectively after work had already begun, and an environmental impact assessment has never been seen by locals or their lawyers, the court heard. Barbudans fear they will be kicked off their island altogether as building work on luxury houses and mansions continues apace beside beaches with pristine white sand.

Dr Dorsett said: “Having an interest in the matter is not sufficient; it is about having ‘sufficient interest’ in the matter.”

But Lord Leggatt countered: “If someone living two miles away doesn’t have sufficient interest, who does? You seem to be arguing no-one [on the island] has a right to challenge.”

Dr Dorsett avoided the question, but asked the Lords: “Has the [East Caribbean Supreme] court got it so wrong that it warrants the intervention of this court [the Privy Council]?”

The Voice has heard supermodel Cindy Crawford has bought property on the island. Much of the land belongs to the Crown, and a lawyer for the appellants told The Voice a multi-millionaire has claimed he is building a property for Prince Harry and Meghan. The claim is yet to be verified.

Speaking outside the Supreme Court, Mussington said Barbudans were being “ethnically cleansed” off their land, and he feared locals might be pushed off the island permanently. The Privy Council decision is expected early in 2024.