Plot AW 223: end of the story
By authorising the President of the Local Authority to sign the transfer of plot AW 223 to the Webster family at the last territorial council meeting, the elected representatives brought an end to a saga that had been going on for decades as part of the highly complex Beauperthuy inheritance case.
This plot of land, located in Griselle (between Cul de Sac and Orient Bay), was the subject of a long-running dispute between nearly 250 heirs. In 1973, some of the beneficiaries contested the distribution of the estate, leading to multiple legal proceedings. Administrators and experts were successively appointed to identify the heirs, the plots of land and their occupants. After decades of legal battles, the Fort-de-France Court of Appeal confirmed in 1987 the division of the land and its sale by auction. Plot AW 223 was among the properties concerned, although Rudy Webster claimed ownership of it, having acquired it from his grandfather in 1985. However, this notarised deed was not recognised by the Court of Cassation. The sale of the plot by auction was finalised in 2018.
An initial auction took place in April 2021, followed by a ruling confirming the award of the property to Foncière Europe. A higher bid was then submitted and, in January 2022, SCI Les Hauts de Grand Case was declared the successful bidder for €557,000, excluding fees. The winning SCI ultimately did not pay the price, rendering the sale null and void, but this sparked a series of events.
The plot of disorder
Members of the Webster family, supported by part of the population, blocked the RN7 at Griselle for several days to denounce what they considered to be an injustice. A new auction was scheduled for May 2023. The Collectivité of Saint-Martin then intervened with the Basse-Terre court, arguing that it had not been informed of the procedure as required by the Urban Planning Code. The sale was postponed until 19 September 2023. In the meantime, the territorial council authorised the president, by a decision dated 14 September 2023, to bid at auction and allowed the Collectivité to acquire the plot for a total amount of €577,448. In 2024, Rudy Webster submitted a request to the Collectivité to buy back the land.
Restoring fairness and justice in land ownership
Louis Mussington submitted Rudy Webster's request to the territorial council, stating that this sale was primarily intended to "correct an injustice" and preserve social peace, in view of the tensions that arose in 2022. The Collectivité legally justified this sale on the grounds that the plot of land was part of its private domain, which exempted it from any obligation to advertise or put it out to tender, while respecting the market value resulting from the auction. The sale price was set at €577,448, corresponding to the amount paid by the Collectivité at the auction.
Despite reservations expressed by the opposition regarding the legal and financial security of the transaction, the decision was adopted by a large majority, with 17 votes in favour and 2 against (Team Gibbs). The decision was applauded by elected officials.
