Developer takes responsibility for the environment at Caribbean Property Resort

On the Caribbean island of St Kitts modern developers, such as Newfound, have moved on completely from dated, high-rise apartment blocks and, as at Ocean’s Edge, strive to enhance rather than detract from the landscape.

As a Green Globe Affiliate, Ocean’s Edge represents the opposite of all those past high-rise nightmares. Due for completion in 2009, Ocean’s Edge offers luxurious homes on this unspoilt island, where the rainforest is still growing rather than shrinking. By developing properties with many eco features, not only will Ocean’s Edge minimise its environmental impact but its initiatives, such as planting grass to naturally maintain the sand dunes, will also help improve the local environment.

William Thompson, Vice President of Sales for Newfound, comments, “We need to be sure that we are doing the best we can for the unspoilt St Kitts ecosystem. We are in an extremely privileged position as one of the few chosen developers in such an environmentally aware location and we are very conscious of our responsibilities. We are not only minimising our impact on the local environment, but also doing our utmost to enhance and preserve the natural beauty of St Kitts.”

Ocean’s Edge’s 191 luxury properties, all overlooking Cable Bay, will include a range of accommodation, from beach and hillside apartments to garden cottages and villas. There is a variety of leisure and entertainment facilities planned, including a clubhouse, health and fitness centre, restaurants, pools and tennis courts. Prices start from UK£161,000.

St Kitts was formerly an island supported by the sugar cane industry, but is now recreating itself as a top-end tourism destination. Newfound has been chosen as one of just a handful of developers on St Kitts, which takes pride in protecting its natural environment.

Ocean’s Edge, as an affiliate to Green Globe, complies with all its energy efficiency principles, using double-glazing window units and thermally insulating roofs (roof tiles will be made of recycled car tyres). It also intends to use solar energy for water heating and for lighting.

The freshwater supply is another obvious concern of Ocean’s Edge therefore the plants have been researched for their specific water requirements; the benefits and improvements they can bring to the coastal environment, as well as their durability. Grass species have been selected for their capacity to be watered with brine, and the three chosen types of palm trees can all survive hurricanes and droughts. Other trees to be used are salt tolerant, less susceptible to disease and perfect for coastal enhancement. Rainwater will be used to irrigate the resort and the grey water will be used for irrigating the Marriott golf course.

The resort is located within ten minutes of the R L Bradshaw International Airport, which provides direct flights to and from the UK and US, and is adjacent to the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club – one of only two golf courses in the Caribbean with views over both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

For further information, visit newfoundproperty.com.