Honourable Wheatley said the scope of the project, which will occur adjacent to the Dungeon site on the seaward side, has been inspected and approved by the ministry as with any other dredging works to ensure that the surrounding areas are not adversely affected.

“I want to clarify this matter before the rumours and misleading headlines start, that when the approved dredging project takes place in Pockwood Pond, it will not affect the current condition of the Dungeon ruins site,” Hon Wheatley stated in a Government press release on January 8, 2021.

He said his ministry has inspected and approved the project and can verify that the ruins site will not be adversely affected.

Hon Wheatley added that the ministry recognises the historical and cultural value the ruins has and the works envisaged will not affect the site negatively, as they are not in close proximity.

According to the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB), the Dungeon, originally known as Fort Purcell, was built in 1794 and housed a garrison of soldiers responsible for protecting the islands

According to the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), the scope of the reclamation project, which will occur adjacent to the Dungeon site on the seaward side, has been inspected and approved by the ministry as with any other dredging works to ensure that the surrounding areas are not adversely affected.

The scope of the project, according to Government, will occur adjacent to the Dungeon site on the seaward side, has been inspected and approved by the ministry as with any other dredging works to ensure that the surrounding areas are not adversely affected.