Bloggers around the world are being asked  to take action to combat the poverty and hunger affecting more than 500 million people worldwide and responsible for the deaths of over 15 million children each year through a campaign Blogger Unite For Hunger and Hope. BU although concerned about people everywhere the campaign (blogging)  has served to bring to the fore again the little regard Barbadians have for agriculture and by extension food security.

BU commenter Nostradamus reminded us recently that there is an application in Town Planning to change 136 acres of agricultural land, representing 30% of Staple Grove Plantation, from agricultural to residential… there will be a Consultation at the Meeting Hall of St. David’s Anglican Church on Monday April 27, 2009 at 6:00pm. The meeting will allow for comment and discussion on the proposed plans for the subdivision of lands at St. David’s Village, Ch. Ch and Staple grove Ch. Ch. Into lots for residential purposes.

The government led by Minister Michael Lashley has been on a quest to generate housing solutions to deliver on a Democratic Labour Party campaign promise. The government led by Minister Haynesley Benn has also been on a quest to move agriculture back to the centre of our economy. The two Ministers maybe on a collision course given all that has happened during the previous government when there were many accusations levelled that prime agricultural land was being sub-divided willy-nilly for residential and other purposes.

In light of the above BU’s interest was peeked when commenter Nostradamus made his intervention.  Luckily we were able to persuade a BU family member to attend the Consultation on the sub-division of lands at Staple Grove, St. Davids for residential purposes and report back her findings.

Barbadians are aware that Staple Grove Plantation which stretches from Edey Village to Kent runs almost parallel to the St. George Valley. The significance is that these lands represent the most prime agricultural lands in Barbados perhaps with the exception of those in the St. Thomas belt. The idea that approximately 144 acres is proposed to be sub-divided in the first instance by developer PDS Inc only serves to make some of us hold our bellies and bawl.

The Consultation was attended by about 40-50 people which included officials from Town Planning, Developers etc. The group although small was very vociferous in feedback when time for Q&As.

Here are some of the issues raised as recalled because note taking was not advised:

1. When asked to reveal who the developers PDS Inc the presenter suggested that those interested should scan the environmental impact assessment (EIA) document located in St. David’s Church for viewing by the public, or request a search at the corporate registry. This was not received too kindly. In fairness to the presenter when referring to the developers he would throw his hands in a certain direction in the room and as luck would have it our BU family member is 99% sure that the three gentlemen sitting at the back of the room Mr. Om Prakash, Suleman Nana and one other unrecognizable man, although his face was familiar Barbadian who works in tourism of Indian descent.
2. The issue of water to serve such a large residential area was raised by residents from the area. Based on feedback water outages is already being suffered by residents of the St. Davids area. The presenters of the EIA assured residents that the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) has promised that water will be pumped from surrounding reservoirs like Rising Sun and others. Again this was not received well by the small gathering and some loudly expressed a lack of confidence in the BWA to deliver. A suggestion was made that a water solution should be in place before Town Planning submits its recommendation for approval to the Minister.
3. The issue of the St. David’s main road which separates the school and the church was thought to be inadequate and should be widened before approval is recommended by the Town Planning department to the Minister.
4. Dust and smell pollution produced by a Chicken Farm and Asphalt Company to the East of the proposed residential area was suggested as a potential negative. The presenter (who compiled the EIA) indicated that the two entities fell outside the impact zone identified by Town Planning department for EIA.
5. A resident suggested that the proposed 800+ houses to be built on 140 acres was a bit tight. The presenter indicated that a 2 acre area would be allocated as a recreational area for the residents.
6. There was the suggestion that the EIA document should be available to any member of the public for a fee (cost) and published on the Internet for all to review.
7. Scepticism was expressed that feedback from the group would be seriously considered because at the end of the process the Minister had the final say i.e. he could overrule the Town Planner if he wanted.

The above represent several of the points raised from recall.

It is interesting to note that between 2004-2005 several applications, residential and commercial were approved by the former government to build in the general area of Staple Grove in St. Davids  – People’s Cathedral, St. David’s Primary School, National Housing Corporation (93 lots) and several others.

Of concern to BU is the promise by government when on the campaign trail that given the need to curb the carving up of arable land to supply housing high-rise solutions would be considered. So far we have not read or heard Town Planning and by extension government pressuring developers to produce high rise solutions.

We are also concerned that Staple Grove plantation which owns some of the most arable land in Barbados is being sacrificed to housing without a fight.

We are also concerned that a major residential/commercial development for the area is being considered for approval in the absence of a well thought out amenities infrastructure.

We are also concerned that several St. Davids residents own 3-4 acre lands which they have been unable to get approval. This information came out in the survey commissioned as part of the EIA.

Recently Sir Othniel ‘Cow’ Williams announced that he would be building 100 houses in St. John. How is it these large developers are able to get approval to sub-divide but small people cannot?

How come PDS Inc feels so confident that they can apply for permission to cut-up Staple Grove plantation which is some of the most arable land in Barbados?