Businessman Handel Whittaker has received the green light for his plans to renovate the former Royal Palms and Coral Beach sites on West Bay Road.
Whittaker, who used to own Calico Jack’s beach bar, originally submitted an application for the Royal Palms site last year, but later withdrew it in favour of the latest application, which, he told the planning board, was “more straightforward”.
Documents filed with the planning authority show that Whittaker plans to build a new, covered bar on the site, as well as a 2,176-square-foot open deck, a seawall, service hut and two bathroom blocks.
Royal Palms used to be one of the most popular spots on island but was forced to close in 2020 at the start of the COVID pandemic. Since then, the site has fallen into a state of disrepair due to the weather, and the buildings closest to the sea, such as the kitchen, bathroom and oceanside bar, have since been demolished.
Whittaker announced last year that he had taken over the site, with plans to reopen it within months. The new plans have been given approval subject to various conditions, including getting approval from the Department of Environment that no turtle nests will be impacted by the works, that turtle-friendly lighting will be used and that any waste is captured on-site and will not impact the adjacent Marine Protected Area offshore.
Minutes from the 14 May meeting noted that the proposed development did not comply with the minimum setback from the high water mark as required by planning regulations, but that it could be allowed as there are existing developments on neighbouring properties with similar setbacks, making it consistent with the character of the area.
A letter to the planning board noted that since the building closest to the sea was demolished, there is now a beach in front of Royal Palms once again. The old swimming pool at the Royal Palms site will become a bar area instead.
Whittaker is also taking over the former Coral Beach site next door, which he is renaming Jack’s on the Beach and which he hopes will be up and running by December. A separate application, also heard on 14 May, asked for planning permission for a covered bar and a new uncovered timber deck on the site.
Coral Beach opened in 2019 but closed in January this year, with the owner citing environmental challenges, including ongoing beach erosion, diminished beach access and the demolition of the main bar due to storm damage.
Addressing the committee on 14 May, Whittaker said that both sites were well-established and that he wanted to “enhance the tourism product” on island. In earlier interviews, he said he was hoping to re-create the type of atmosphere that made Calico’s popular.
“We intend to make Royal Palms into a really nice restaurant/beach bar that tourists and locals alike can come and really hang out and enjoy the view, the sunset, and great food and entertainment,” he said last year.
Whittaker, who is the deputy chairperson of the planning committee, removed himself from the discussions of the two separate planning applications, which were heard on 14 May.
Minutes published this week show that the Central Planning Authority has approved both applications, subject to various conditions.
