~ On-line petition launched to save Tropical Wave ~
MARIGOT--Embattled proprietor of Tropical Wave Restaurant on Le Galion Beach, Patrick Turner, whose business has been under pressure from Conservatoire du Littoral to relocate, has insisted he will not move or give up a business that he spent 39 years single-handedly developing and a petition to save his restaurant has been launched.
The link to the petition is: http://www.petitions24.com/support_the_tropical_wave_and_save_galion_beach_spirit, and has gathered more than 400 signatures so far.
Other businesses on the access road to Le Galion such as the Butterfly Farm and Bay Side Riding Stables have also been in the cross hairs of the Conservatoire.
Turner spoke out as the 660,000-euro project to demolish the former Le Galion Hotel buildings is imminent, amid fears he will have to shut down his business as water cistern and electricity generator, both needed to run the restaurant, are in the buildings.
Tropical Wave employs nine employees for whom Turner has responsibility for and pays all the required social charges.
New Conservatoire du Littoral representative Julie Walker however told The Daily Herald on Monday that while the demolition project will indeed start after the Easter holidays, Turner will not have to close his restaurant as the old buildings will be entirely covered and sealed off from the public for their protection.
“There are two operations, one to remove the hazardous asbestos which is in the walls, floors, roofs and rain gutters and the second is the demolition,” she explained. “The buildings contain 37 cubic metres of asbestos which has to be extracted. The whole operation is expected to take six months.”
In November 2015 Réserve Naturelle announced via its newsletter that Conservatoire du Littoral had obtained possession of parcel AW16 on which the derelict former hotel buildings are situated following lengthy legal proceedings with SCI Le Galion.
Walker confirmed AW16 became the property of the Conservatoire in December 2015.
That news meant it was clear to demolish the buildings. “We could not demolish the buildings before because of the court process,” she noted.
The Conservatoire’s 1M-euro Le Galion original project involves turning the area into a public park for picnics and leisure activities, while also installing a water sports centre and snack bar.
On this point Walker suggests the long-term project could be open to change although a snack bar was always in the plan. She dismissed any collaboration between Tropical Wave and the Conservatoire that would allow Tropical Wave to remain where it is.
“There cannot be any restaurant or snack bar on AW16 but there can be one on AW17. The rules are different as AW17 is not expropriated land,” she added. “That’s why we offered Turner the possibility to have his restaurant on AW17 and that he makes the decision as soon as possible so there is minimum interruption to his business and employees.”
Turner, who is listed as the proprietor of AW 16, confirmed the Conservatoire offered to build a new location for him at their expense on AW17 but he declined the offer.
“The rent would be the equivalent of 100 euros per square metre. At 3,000 euros per month I would basically be working for nothing,” he said. “There’s not much fat on the business already with the social charges I have to pay.”
He added the Conservatoire’s “softly, softly” approach this time contrasted with October 2014 when he was given three months to vacate the premises.
Asked what she thinks will happen if Turner insists on staying where he is, she replied: “We’ll wait and see. We are taking everything a step at a time. First, the demolition of the old buildings [has to happen – Ed.] There are no particular deadlines to follow.”
She added that she did not know yet what will happen regarding the Butterfly Farm and other businesses on the access road to Le Galion.
In a letter to Walker regarding the demolition and his general situation, Turner wrote: “My largest concern is the loss of my water supply. It would be in our best interest to install a water line from the meter at the Butterfly farm and place the telephone lines in the ground at the same time to enhance the natural beauty of this area.
“I requested this many years ago and have the authorisation from all except the Réserve Naturelle. My bathrooms have been used by the public for many years at my expense and are a service I offer. The history of myself and my business at this location goes back to November 1977. I have been an asset to the entire population in the preservation and plantation of this beautiful site.
“Many of the things that have transpired here are from a direct love and investment from my heart. As you know I was one of the founding fathers of the implementation of the Réserve here. With the authorisation of the Préfet in Guadeloupe and the help of Yannik Parien of Office of the National Forest I made the plantation of the coconut trees to benefit the area.
“The volley ball court was placed and the swim platforms built with my hands and offered to all. The trash canisters and the collection of garbage have also been at my expense for all these years.
“The restaurant I am in was built with my hands and at my expense. Passion for my accomplishment is more than you can imagine. I am a large part of this community of St. Martin and well accepted by the locals.
“My fate is in the hands of all the departments of France as I have no intention of leaving my present location AW 16 for which I pay the Tax Foncière (land tax). Thank you for your understanding and I look forward to serving the community of St. Martin for many years to come.”
Turner told The Daily Herald he is not picking a fight with anyone, but just wants to maintain a beautiful area and keep it open to the public.
“It seems Conservatoire wants to control the parking, control the entrance and approach to the beach. I think it will mean a lot less freedom for everyone.”
He also questioned the 2013 report that indicated the buildings contained 37 cubic metres of asbestos and plans to have an independent study done to determine if that is really true.
Interestingly, an article on the French Senate website on regulating land in the overseas territories mentions “five illegal occupations in the vicinity of the Orient Salt Pond and Le Galion on land managed by Conservatoire du Littoral” but does not mention Tropical Wave by name
