Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands , Hon. Dr. Michael Misick has told The SUN that he never overstepped the authority of the Planning Department to grant permission for the go-ahead on Star Island .

The controversial development just off Little Water Cay which is believed to be a private island constructed by the Nikki Beach Resort organization, has drawn enormous attention from the public and residents of Leeward who are concerned by the dredging of the Leeward Channel and the environmental impact it will have on the wildlife of the area.

The Premier explained that he only acts on favourable recommendations from the Physical Planning Board in any changes regarding a property development in the country. He was also incensed by media reports which suggested that he acted without counsel from his Planning Department and the DECR to allow construction of the much talked about Star Island .

“The developers appeal some of those conditions, the Physical Director of Planning then meets with the developers to discuss further what the conditions are and then the Director makes a recommendation to me as to whether those conditions have met their satisfaction and whether they (Director of Planning) recommend that these conditions are acceptable.

“Only on the recommendation of the Director of Planning have I altered any condition in relation to what the approval of what the board has done in relation to Star Island ,” said the Premier.

Hon. Dr. Misick told this newspaper that he loves the Turks and Caicos Islands , perhaps more than anyone else, and would never do anything to harm the environment and beauty of the country which future generations will come to live and grow up on.

To this end he highlighted that every single beach or mangrove development must have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study done before even submitting a drawing.

“Every single project that is being built on the coast or beach requires an EIA before Planning considers those projects. Every single project that requires an EIA the DECR has to approve it and coming out of those conditions then permission is granted, also these projects are monitored daily by the DECR to ensure that they are in compliance.”

Premier Misick, reminded the public that although some residents are concerned about the environmental welfare of the development there are several others who are just ‘band-wagonists' and do not want the country to move forward; he also lambasted the opposition PDM for using the opportunity to drum up support.

“The TCI has one of the greatest records when it comes to environmental issues. Two thirds of our country is a national park. The opposition is making it seem as if the government is somehow damaging the environment, and some developers who have asked for even more than some of the other developers are complaining about another developer, but that is not our fight.”

“Our fight is to protect the environmental integrity of the TCI for generations to come and we will never do anything to endanger that.”