By Chester Robards Senior Business Reporter

Copyright thenassauguardian

Lawyer for the Over Yonder Cay development Romauld Ferreira submitted an appeal to the Subdivision Development Appeal Board in March over the granting of site plan approval to the Yntegra Group for its Rosewood Exuma project on Sampson Cay, citing a substantively flawed and defective procedure for the public hearings regarding the Rosewood project.

In the appeal, seen by Guardian Business, Ferreira, on behalf of Over Yonder, contended that Yntegra’s plans differed from those made available to the public; that despite objections, no further consultation was had; and that the decision is in contravention of the Town Planning Committee Rules.

“The committee failed to comply with the requirements for holding public hearings under the Planning and Subdivision Act, particularly section 37; and the Town Planning Committee rules, particularly sections 4, 5, 7 and 8; and the principles of natural justice,” the submission to the appeal board reads.

“The plans relied upon during the hearing materially differed from those made available for public inspection, resulting in a breach of transparency and procedural fairness. No further consultation was conducted despite our clients’ objections to the proposed development as set out in a letter dated 21st March 2025, sent to the director of physical planning, contrary to the committee’s duty to act judicially under Rule 8 of Town Planning Committee rules.

“The decision contravenes Rule 9(8) of the Town Planning Committee rules and is therefore void, requiring reconsideration as a new application.”

Over Yonder’s objection letter to the Rosewood application was sent to Director of Physical Planning Charles Zonicle in March, which labeled the neighboring development to Over Yonder “disastrous for the Exumas”.

“This letter shall serve as objection to the application for preliminary support of application (SPA/4/2024) on behalf of Rosewood Sampson Cay, being reviewed by the Department of Physical Planning, for which a public meeting was held on March 13, 2025 at the Black Point Exuma All-age School,” the letter reads.

While several Exuma businesses are against the Rosewood development, even creating an organization called the Save Exuma Alliance, Over Yonder and Turtlegrass Resort and Island Club are the developments that will be most affected by Yntegra’s commercial dock to be built in the North Bay, which all the developments share. Their concern is that Yntegra’s development of a commercial dock and a sea wall in the North Bay will drastically affect the area on a number of fronts.

“The developer intends to dredge through sacred seagrass to build a commercial service dock on the north side of the island in the very narrow strait between Over Yonder Cay and East Sampson Cay,” the letter said.

“This narrow strait is well known for shallow, narrow cuts with strong currents and large underwater rocks. Supporting the dense luxury resort will require a steady stream of supply boats and barges to navigate these dangerous conditions. It is not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’ a catastrophic accident will occur, with a supply barge releasing thousands of gallons of fuel or other hazardous substances into the pristine environment.”

Yntegra broke ground on the Rosewood development earlier this month, with Prime Minister Philip Davis saying the project has his full support despite the opposition to it.