Prime Minister Gaston Browne has robustly defended the Peace Beach development at Barnacle Point, asserting that the reclaimed land is unequivocally public property. During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Browne addressed concerns raised by the Opposition, emphasizing that while the foreshore in front of the reclaimed area is privately owned, the newly created land belongs to the state. ‘All reclaimed land is public land,’ Browne stated. ‘The threshold in front of that beach is owned privately.’ The Prime Minister also dismissed allegations that the project infringes on marine rights previously granted to the Yida Group, labeling such claims as ‘mischievous’ and clarifying that Yida holds no such rights. Browne highlighted that the coastline already includes several reclaimed properties, such as a six-acre parcel owned by the Hadeed family and an adjacent marina, both created through dredging. ‘Practically all of the land on that coast was dredged,’ he noted. ‘It’s not a pristine area as suggested by some.’ The Prime Minister further assured that all necessary environmental and statutory approvals were secured before the project commenced, underscoring the government’s commitment to regulatory compliance. The development, named Peace Beach, was inspired by Browne’s daughter and symbolizes the island’s aspiration for unity and harmony. ‘Peace Beach is about promoting peace,’ Browne said. ‘I happen to have a daughter whose name is Peace, and as you know, I’m a peace practitioner.’
VIDEO: PM Clarifies ‘Peace Beach’ Development and Rejects Claims of Yida Conflict
