Multi-million dollar British investor, Peter de Savary has once again lashed out at those critics he sees as only spouting negatives towards his plans to construct cottages along the Lagoon in St. George's.
"There is no intention by Camper Nicholson, by government, the Planning Authority, by Peter de Savary or by anybody else to put a load of development on the Lagoon edge. Not at all", he told reporters at a Monday press conference.
According to the investor, there is a small area on the Lagoon edge that will have "some limited development on it which will not obstruct the views but will enhance the beauty of the Lagoon edge".
A small pressure group, led by Social Worker, Sandra Ferguson has been calling for plans to be aborted as regards the construction of cottages on the Lagoon Road, just outside the city.
De Savary stated that his plans to construct cottages along the Lagoon will be influenced by Grenadians and no one else.
However, he said the cottages are the last thing on his list at this time, since he was concentrating on getting the marina project going, as well as the construction of a US$120 million hotel project and the village residences on the hill finished.
Stating that these were "big enough task" for him at the moment, the British millionaire said that those "negative people" who seem to do nothing with their time but criticise are nothing but "a tiny minority".
"They hardly speak to me directly, they only do it behind my back", he told reporters.
"I wish they would talk to me directly but they seem to be afraid to do that.
"To that tiny minority I would say to them, just look at yourself in the mirror, how many jobs have you created, how much have you invested, how much you donated to help the less fortunate what charitable things have you done, what meaningful positive constructive things have you made in your communities.
De Savary chastised his opponents as "negative people who don't want to see anything good or give it a chance".
"They haven't done any of these things lately and to those people I say, why don't you give us a chance, give the country a chance, come and talk to us, I am always available and easily approachable," he said.
de Savary urged those who are opposed to his plans for the Lagoon to "find a common ground" with him since it can be counter-productive to other investors and tourists who want to visit the island.
The British millionaire got into a heated discussion with local talk show host, George Grant who sought to question him on the cottages issue along the Lagoon.
In his response to Grant's queries, de Savary said: "I am fed up of having to respond to the same questions repeatedly. If you (can), find US$120 million to build this damn hotel, so I am not discussing it anymore, it's not a closed door but it's not an issue today.
"You know George I am willing to answer any questions but I can't give the same answer every time I am asked, I've given an answer and that's the end of it.
When Grant quipped that's not the and of it, an irritated de Savary blurted out: "For me that's the end of it. That's the end of itŠ I am not prepared to discuss it anymore today. I am prepared to discuss it endlessly with as many people (who) want to discuss it at the appropriate timeŠthis is not the appropriate time.
"I am not the least bit focused, interested, concerned about what's going to happen on the edge of the Lagoon now. I will be at some point in the future and when I am interested in it and when I have something to say I will do it in a public way as I promised you with no secret...", he added.
The plan to develop cottages along the Lagoon was met with stiff opposition from the newly formed Ferguson-led group known as Citizens for the Defence of Grenada's Lands and Heritage.
The group has been lobbying against the construction of the cottages calling on the developer not to proceed with his plans since they believe that the cottages if built will hinder the view of the Lagoon.
Ferguson told reporters on Labour Day that the Lagoon Park "is not just for those who have money".
"We are sending a clear message to all the government, the developers, our regulators, our elected officials, those in office and those who will offer themselves for office - no cottages on the Lagoon!
"We will not stand idly by and permit ourselves to become second class citizens in our island while we witness the new breed of pirates and buccaneers wax fat with the full support of our government.
"This is an issue for each and every Grenadian. The Lagoon Park is ours. No government and no speculator is going to deprive us of our Lagoon Park and its view! THIS LAND IS OURS!! NO TO ANY COTTAGES AND BUILDING ON THE LAGOON PARK
