After a decision to grant planning approval for the construction of a condo development at the old Leamington Caves and Plantation restaurant site was deferred this summer, the company the submitted the planning application has been given the go ahead.

Leamington Plantation Co. Ltd. proposed to build five condominiums on the three-acre strip of land in Bailey's Bay, but was met with objections from Government hydrogeologist Mark Rowe, who sought more information pertaining to the distance between the proposed condos and the caves, as well as from Baroness Elizabeth Raben-Levetzau, a local woman who is married to Dutch nobility.

In a letter dated July 26, the Baroness told the Planning Department that she and others who were not named were in talks to buy the property with the intention of restoring its natural beauty.

"We want to clean up the unique caves and open them up to educational groups, some school groups, research groups, BUEI etc., free of charge, of course," she wrote.

But at the time, owner Carol West said she had never heard of the Baroness nor had received any formal offers of purchase.

When contacted by The Royal Gazette on Friday, Ms West said: "We've waited a long time for it ( planning approval ) and are happy to receive it."

However, she said she had "no idea" when construction would begin as the property was still up for sale.

In February, the property was listed for private sale at a price of $1.7 million.

But Ms West remained optimistic that the Hamilton parish land would be sold soon.

"People have shown interest," she said.