Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended the Peace Beach development at Barnacle Point, confirming that the reclaimed land is public property and dismissing claims that the project conflicts with any rights held by the Yida Group.
During Thursday’s parliamentary sitting, Browne faced questions from the Opposition about the nature and legality of the development. He clarified that while the foreshore in front of the reclaimed area is privately owned, the newly created land itself belongs to the state.
“All reclaimed land is public land,” Browne said. “The threshold in front of that beach is owned privately.”
Explaining the project’s name, the Prime Minister said it was inspired by his own daughter and symbolizes the island’s aspiration for unity and harmony. “Peace Beach is about promoting peace,” he said. “I happen to have a daughter whose name is Peace, and as you know, I’m a peace practitioner.”
When asked whether the land reclamation encroached on marine rights previously granted to Yida, Browne firmly rejected the claim. “That’s a mischievous question,” he said. “Yida has no such marine rights.”
He added that the entire stretch of coastline already includes reclaimed properties, noting that a six-acre parcel owned by the Hadeed family and the adjacent marina were both created through dredging. “Practically all of the land on that coast was dredged,” Browne said. “It’s not a pristine area as suggested by some.”
Browne assured the House that all required environmental and statutory approvals were obtained before the project began. “All of the necessary approvals were given by the various statutory organizations responsible for the environment,” he said.
