Sandals Resorts yesterday rubbished a news report that a legal battle was brewing between the hotel chain and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) over approval for additional construction at one of its hotels.

At the same time, the resort chain made clear that it had complied with NEPA's work stoppage order, while saying that it needed clarification as the environment agency and the St James Parish Council were "operating at cross purposes".

"The application for a building permit for the construction and refurbishment at Sandals Royal together with all fees were submitted to the St James Parish Council from July 2007," Sandals said in a statement issued to the media.

"The St James Parish Council told Sandals to proceed with the development works in a letter dated December 21, 2007 which states, '.wish to advise that the National Environment and Planning Agency has recommended approval in Outline for the proposed development subject to the Statutory Reserved matter of your submitting to the St James Parish Council fully illustrated drawings in respect of Siting, Design, the means of access and external appearance of the buildings to be erected. Your having made such submission to the Council, you may proceed to commence the development works consistent with the illustrated drawings submitted"," the statement said.

Sandals also said that it complied with the St James Parish Council's requirement to advise the superintendent of roads and works three clear days before the commencement of the construction work and it was on that basis that the hotel began work at the site in January 2008.

However, in May 2008, Sandals said it was advised by NEPA that an environmental permit was required, to which the hotel responded within 10 days with an application. "We were therefore shocked to receive a warning letter on June 30, 2008," said Sandals. "Nevertheless, we have complied and have stopped the work."

Added Sandals: "The matter which really needs clarification is how and with what sense of urgency do connected Government agencies communicate with each other. It appears to us in this case that NEPA and the St James Parish Council are operating at cross purposes."

The hotel said that the renovation and construction works were being carried out strictly in accordance with the plans that were submitted for a three-storey building and insisted that it had done nothing wrong as it followed a clear, written direction from the St James Parish Council to proceed.

"We wish to resume work and finish the development, so we will continue to work assiduously with both agencies to get this matter resolved," the hotel said.