NASSAU, BAHAMAS— Turtlegrass Resort has welcomed a Supreme Court decision granting permission to pursue Judicial Review proceedings related to the Rosewood Exuma/Yntegra project on Sampson Cay.
The resort’s challenge focuses on the issuance of Certificates of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to Rosewood Exuma/Yntegra. Turtlegrass contends that the process for granting these approvals was fundamentally flawed and lacked meaningful consultation.
“We are convinced that the process for granting the CECs was fundamentally flawed and that no meaningful or proper consultation took place. It is our contention that under the circumstances, these approvals should not have been granted and are therefore invalid,” the resort, lead by American businessman Bob Coughlin stated.
Turtlegrass also expressed optimism that the court will consider its request for an injunction to halt further work at the project site.
“We are also pleased that the court is considering the request for an injunction preventing further work at the Rosewood Exuma/Yntegra site. It is our hope that this injunction will be granted to prevent any further damage to the pristine marine habitat of Sampson Cay,” the resort added.
The move marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute over environmental and regulatory approvals for the Sampson Cay project. Tensions between two competing developments in the Exuma Cays continue to escalate, with the Yntegra Group and Turtlegrass Resort recently exchanging fresh accusations over jobs, foreign labour, and the environmental impact of their neighbouring projects.
The Yntegra Group in a statement noted that it had been made aware of Turtlegrass Resorts’
press release announcing the granting of permission for Judicial Review of its project on Sampson Cay.
“While it is inappropriate to discuss a matter currently before the courts, it should be clarified that the application for Judicial Review was never opposed by Yntegra or any of the parties involved. The Rosewood Exuma project has been developed through months of rigorous public consultations, multiple technical studies, and careful collaboration with the Bahamian professionals in the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), whose work reflects the highest professional and scientific standards,” Yntegra noted.
The group added: “Our project represents a long-term partnership with communities in the Exuma Cays and The Bahamas more broadly. We are focused on delivering on our promise of creating more than 500 well-paying jobs for Bahamians through construction and operations, and providing Bahamians with employment opportunities at every level of the development when in operation, with a focus on career advancement. Yntegra remains committed to transparency, environmental protection, and compliance with the regulatory process, and we have full confidence in the expertise and integrity of the institutions tasked with overseeing that process.” The group said it will continue to vigorously refute the claims by Turtlegrass as it looks forward to the court’s decision and resolving the matter as soon as possible for the benefit of the community.
