Proposed fuel station in north Caye Caulker causes mixed reactions from residents and stakeholders

Residents on the northern side of Caye Caulker have objected to a proposed gas station in their area. They have submitted formal complaints highlighting concerns about installing large tanks near homes, which they believe poses a hazardous and potentially life-threatening risk. Although the Caye Caulker Village Council has stated that specific requirements must be met before the project can proceed, some local tour operators favor the initiative led by Petrol Alliance Group Group Company Limited.
The Sun contacted the Caye Caulker Tour Operators Association, which reportedly supports the project. Although a representative from the organization declined to provide a comment, they mentioned that a statement had been issued. According to reports from other media outlets, the association released a brief ‘No-Objection Letter,’ indicating that the construction of the proposed gas station will benefit all residents in the area.
Residents in the area have expressed concerns about the proposed gas station. One resident, Angie McLean, owns a lot that faces the site of the proposed station. McLean noted that the property lines of the gas station are extremely close to her building. Another resident, Steve Hyams, shared his worries about the potential for thousands of gallons of fuel to be stored and used in a residential area. He mentioned to the media that no community member had been consulted or asked for their opinions about this project. Hyams also pointed out that there are currently no fire stations or similar facilities in northern Caye Caulker to respond to fire emergencies.
The residents also pointed out that the construction of this gas station violates the Department of the Environment’s environmental guidelines for service stations. The service station guidelines under the site location section state that ‘service stations are to be constructed on properties with the required setbacks only. Sites should have a minimum set back distance as follows:
Underground Tank:
i. A minimum of fifteen (15) feet away from any building within the compound.
ii. A minimum of thirty (30) feet away from the property line.
iii. Should be covered with a minimum of three (3) feet of earth and six (6) inch thick
concrete reinforced powered slab.
Surface Tank:
i. A minimum of thirty (30) feet away from any building within the compound.
ii. A minimum of Three hundred (300) feet away from the property line.
According to the complainants, the legal requirements for constructing the gas station at the designated locations, Lot 957 and Lot 2016, cannot be satisfied. They pointed out that these lots are only 50 feet wide, rendering them unsuitable for such development based on existing regulations. More detailed information on these guidelines can be found at https://doe.gov.bz/environmental-guidelines/.
Additionally, they referenced sections of the Belize Dangerous Goods Act, Chapter 134, Revised Edition 2020, from the Attorney General’s Office. One clause in this document clearly states that “no goods which are especially dangerous, and no petroleum shall be kept within 50 yards of a dwelling house or of a building in which goods are stored.” Further details can be found at https://shorturl.at/cNC8h.
Chairlady Seleny Villanueva-Pott informed the media that the process for this project is transparent. She stated that the company needs to obtain a Dangerous Goods License. Addressing community concerns, she mentioned that residents could raise these issues with the Dangerous Goods department, not just with the Village Council. Pott explained that the company requires a ‘no-objection letter’ to present to the Ministry of Natural Resources, but the Village Council has not yet provided this document. “We will consider all these factors and the needs of the community before making a decision,” she said. Pott added that a holistic approach is being taken, and the company has supplied them with the required information for the project.