The Dart group's application to expand the length of an overpass it is building on West Bay Road has been denied today by the Central Planning Authority.
Representatives from the Dart group appeared before the CPA attempting to address objectors and their various concerns including beach access and traffic management issues.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) had objected to the proposal, saying there was not sufficient justification for the extension. It was a rather unusual move as the NRA had supported the initial tunnel application.
Dart had been seeking to expand the length of the overpass by additional 195 feet. Permission was granted earlier this year, with the support of the NRA, for a 406-foot overpass, part of Dart’s plan to link its properties on Seven Mile Beach with Camana Bay. The requested expansion would have the overpass cover more of the area towards Royal Palms Beach Club which was recently purchased by Dart Real Estate.
The NRA supported the initial application but objected to the extension, arguing in written advice to the CPA that the developer had not provided sufficient justification to show that it was necessary.
It also highlighted issues with traffic management, including the difficulty of moving large pieces of equipment through the tunnel. The approved tunnel should be completed within the coming weeks.
The CPA is expected to provide the full reasoning behind their decision next week. A spokesperson for Dart said the company was awaiting the CPA’s official rationale for the decision before deciding its response to the refusal.
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