The developer and hotel managers have formed very close relationships with government officials to ensure the integrity of the World Heritage Site and guarantee the safeguarding of the area’s status.
Sustainability and conservation are key.
Safety, security and sustainability
Topographic protection is afforded by the geography of the Pitons which creates a protective natural cove around the development and out to the Caribbean Sea. The entire resort has been graded and planned to reduce water and wind damage caused by hurricane force winds. Organic gardening techniques are used throughout Sugar Beach and most of the plant materials are native to St Lucia.
Low-level lighting features around the resort and all landscape lighting is on timers. Every drop of water around the development is sourced from a local river in the mountains, fully treated and then stored in tanks at high level for natural pressure. Any waste water is captured, treated and the effluent used for irrigation.
Specialist heaters in the Villas capture any waste heat from the air conditioning units and re-use it to heat the hot water for all Sugar Beach Villas. Mechanical systems around the development include ducted air conditioning, with hidden slot diffusers discreetly hidden behind cornice details. Infra-red control systems are present in every Villas to ensure that if the air conditioning system is left on, it will turn itself down to save energy.
All waste from Sugar Beach is collected and separated on the resort while any food waste from the restaurants is given to a local farmer for animal feed.
Sugar Beach is the first development on the island to use environmentally-friendly hybrid and solar powered golf carts. Designed and built in China, they are among the first such vehicles in the Caribbean.
Conservation and Local Community
Properties at Sugar Beach are being rebuilt using existing cottage foundations to ensure there is little disruption to the surrounding wildlife and vegetation. The UNESCO policies state that trees in excess of 6” in diameter cannot be cut down.
350 local workmen have been contracted for the building of the development using traditional building techniques, such as hand chipping stone used from around the resort for foundations and cladding. All the timber frame construction uses only woods from certified reforestation programmes.
Designated nature reserves are maintained around the property. The oceanic area in front of the resort is a designated marine reserve so anchoring is not allowed to protect the coral.
99% of the workforce employed at the resort consists of local people from Soufriére and neighbouring villages. The primary contribution to the local economy comes through salaries and wages paid to the local workforce.
The hotel also regularly donates to the community, including scholarship programmes and training initiatives which help to further develop the talent of young people in Soufriére and the surrounding areas.
