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Compulsory Acquisition Of Brighton Land

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Submitted by Kammie Holder
Senator Dr. Frances Chandler
Senator Dr. Frances Chandler

Minister Benn,

Having heard the comments during yesterday’s debate made by you, Senator McClean (it is unlikely that this land would be used for agriculture) and Senator Ince (these two parcels are not viable agricultural land) regarding the Brighton land being acquired by government, I feel obliged to clarify the matter, since in my opinion, the impression has been given that I have presented inaccurate information.

These two plots of land being acquired are portions of fields that have been in agriculture for centuries. I have attached photographs of the two fields where the strips are being acquired.

For your further information, Brighton was initially approached regarding the acquisition of part of a field near the plantation yard which was irrigable and used for vegetable production. Bearing in mind government’s thrust to produce more food, Brighton lodged an objection which was accepted, and government then requested these two plots, which the plantation agreed to, albeit under duresse. Brighton, in my opinion, is one of the best (if not the best)managed and most efficient producers of sugarcane and vegetables in the island.

The most westerly plot (photograph 001 above) is a 1.85 acre portion of a 14 acre field called “Barrows”. In 2006, the plant cane in this field yielded 33 tons/acre. In 2009, as a 4th ratoon it was ploughed out, and the field (apart from the 1.85 acres which government informed would be acquired) was replanted in cane in October 2009. In the photograph above, the plant cane cane be seen on the left and the strip which has been left fallow after the notice of the acquisition is at right.

The more easterly plot is a 1.93 acre portion (photograph 004 above) of an 8 acre field called “Upper Montrose”. This field was planted in cane in 2007 and the first crop gave 35 tons/acre when reaped in 2009. It was badly affected by the severe drought in 2009 and gave 21 tons/acre when reaped this year (below the estimated 26 tons/acre). The ratoon crop presently in the field is progressing well, and will be reaped in 2011.

I trust that you now have a better understanding of the plots being acquired. Is it possible that your officers took you to the wrong location?

Regards,

Frances Chandler.

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48 responses to “Compulsory Acquisition Of Brighton Land”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    We would never have thought a new DLP government would be accused of rolling out a butchered land policy which is a threat to our food security. If we accept Senator Chandler’s position why are we stealing our best agriculture land in the gut of the most fertile lands in Barbados, the St. George Valley?

  2. mash up & buy back Avatar
    mash up & buy back

    I am truly disgusted to read this and hope government retracts this position.

    That plantation at brighton is one of the most well run and fully utilised in food and sugar production.

  3. David Avatar
    David

    Does anyone appreciate that land is our most valuable resource given our small size. It is even more valuable when it is agricultural land and misuse threatens our food security.

  4. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    Let’s repeat!!

    The DLP and the BLP must – within the next seven years – be SHOVED TO HELL out of the parliament of this country, for all the evils and wrongs that they have been doing to so many people in this country, whether or NOT they would have been committing such evils and wrongs when they were holding the reins of government or not.

    For, if the information in the above lead thread is correct that this stinking diagreeable DLP Government is in the process of compulsorily acquiring those two plots that are firmly ensconced in the agricultural belt of the very productive St. George Valley, then the actions of this government to achieve forcible acquistion of these two plots of fertile lands, must be deprecated and condemned to the fullest by all right thinking people in Barbados.

    Once again it seems that the Land Acquisition Act is being used by the Government of Barbados for destructive purposes, and being misused by government again for selfish narrow purposes.

    This odious piece of legislation is a most fascist despotic oppressive instrument that has been used by wicked evil DLP and BLP Governments over the years to NOT ONLY trample on, to NOT ONLY violate and destroy the rights of many esp. small land rights owners in this country, BUT ALSO to violate the Constitution of Barbados, since – contrary to S. 16. (1) of this Constitution – many previous land rights owners affected by such horrific horrible actions have for years not got compensation up to now.

    Indeed, this Land Acquistion Act has no place in a modernizing, civilized Barbados.

    Our response to these particular land grabbing atrocities at this stage is to hereby and elsewhere inform – again – the multitudes of people in Barbads that one of the surest acts of a future PDC Government of this country will be to COMPLETELY Abolish this wicked evil fascistic Land Acquisition Act and to put in its place a better fairer mechanism for the government securing, if so, land from private land rights owners for very important social infrastructural purposes – all in the context of a strong modern land use and land development policy for Barbados.

    So, Down with the Damned DLP and the Blasted BLP!!

    PDC

  5. Donald Duck Esq, Avatar
    Donald Duck Esq,

    Mr Benn

    Have you forgotten your party’s manifesto pledge on agricultural land

    “_ In the first 100 days introduce the Agriculture Protection Act that will require a 2/3 majority of both houses of parliament for a change of use of land from agriculture.”

    What has happened to the agricultural protection act??????

  6. David Avatar
    David

    If the government acquire fertile agriculture land in the St.George Valley it will be an unforgivable sin.

  7. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    Sadly enough while there are rightful valid protestations by many people against turning those two plots of fertile agricultural lands at Brighton in St. George into other joke uses, there is this wholly abject pathetic case of the brother of Mr. Charles “Cow” Williams – one Ralph “Bizzy” Williams – verbally releasing a barrage of toxic effluent for many to absorb on page 11 of the May 31, 2010 edition of the Barbados Business Authority – in dastard support of greater amounts of our agricultural lands being used for so-called alternative purposes like the building of villas on, more golf courses, etc.

    Anyhow, read him:

    “Every day I hear people objecting to the release of agricultural land for other uses in Barbados. This is often based on emotion, not facts.

    Agricultural land used for sugar-cane produces about two tons of sugar per acre which Barbados sells for about US $ 900. Each acre employs about one tenth of one person full time.

    By comparison, a company like Coles Engineering that for years has been seeking permission without success to change two acres of sugar land to industrial use to expand its export earnings has this year exported US $ 450 000 in services and employed 30 people full time per acre.”

    But, in this the most absurd of absurdist contributions to ever for a long time despoil the pages of the Barbados Business Authority, “Bizzy” somehow did not state the names and social and professional backgrounds of at least two of those people whom he alleges have been objecting to agricultural lands being used for other purposes and did not state either at least two of those grounds why they are objecting, since it is he that wrote in that same said piece about those objections to agricultural lands being released for other uses, that are often being based on emotions NOT facts.

    Furthermore, in alleging that “agricultural land used for sugar cane produces about two tons of sugar per acre which sells for about US $ 900, he still did not provide any informational corroborating sources of evidence to support that particular claim and other relevant claims throughout that commentary.

    Yet, he writes about who is not factual but is emotional?

    He must be some breed of half man half horse to be writing in a similar way to that which he criticized many others for!!

    Worse, is that he allegedly referred to a very crude, very mangled statistic: “Each acre employs about one tenth of a person”.

    That must have been so pathetic and injurious to believers votaries of sound persuasive writing!!

    With his producing that kind of writing, he must by now have become a totally grey horse that has gone astray – so to speak!!

    Bizzy further wrote (allegedly): “A golf course like Apes Hill, St. James, employs five times as many people per acre directly to maintain the course and landscaping alone, and the foreign exchange earned per acre is ten times as much as (what) sugar (brings) without considering the construction and sale of villas around the golf course”.

    And further wrote (allegedly): “Right now, in the depths of recession, there are five times more construction workers building villas for foreign exchange at Apes Hill than all the workers that were employed on the estate before it was converted for golf, and the foreign exchange earnings for this activity will be more than ten times the foreign exchange that was earned by sugar cultivation”.

    Surely, Bizzy must be asked by the PDC to get blasted real.

    He should have in that same piece told the reading/public who owns the golf course at Apes Hill!!?

    And should have given the reading/public an idea as to who at the end of the day will own such villas and the lands upon which they are established, whether they are rich locals or whether they are rich foreigners!!??

    He should also have told this said public how much income goes to each worker on a weekly basis on this Apes Hill golf course and to those workers on a weekly basis too helping to build these villas out of ALL the income that has been made so far or that will be made in the future!!??

    So, who is emotional, huh?? Where are these kinds of facts???

    Bizzy should also flipping well tell the reading/public too if this failed model of so-called economic development was NOT also tried under the Owen Arthur BLP Administrations – 1994 to 2008.

    This old grey horse should also tail ass tell the public whether or not this said model is not a continuation of the same ole demeaning dehumanizing political economic exploitation system that has been a modification of the ole plantation enslavement system in this country.

    Certainly, Bizzy Williams must stop pissing on the consciences of those many poor homeless landless people in this country, who aspire for the best for themselves, who wish for greater and more fair means of generating income for themselves and for their families, who wish for greater empowerment and enfranchisement in this country and who want to become OWNERS of greater wealth in this country – and not simply remain as WORKERS for him and so many other exploiters in this country.

    AND IN THE CASE OF HIS COMPANIES NOT JUST OWNERS OF SHARES AND STILL BE DEMEANING WORKERS – BUT FULL UNMITIGATED PART-OWNERS IN THOSE SAID WILLIAM ENTERPRISES BUSINESSES.

    And finally he must stop foolishly hiding behind dumb ass ole talk like “change of use evaluations should be based on the foreign exchange-earning and employment-generating potential of the alternative use of the land”, and present the truth to the reading/public of Barbados, that his primary interest in such change of use dimensions is being fueled in many instances by his quest for making more obscene profits for himself and his family and associates, and to see that these different financial connections of his make more ungodly profits too.

    PDC

  8. art Avatar
    art

    Strange. In many places on other plantations massive agricultural fields of land is lying fallow. Owners are sitting and letting cow itch grow, while awaiting proposed subdivisions of huge assets of good agricultural land.

    Isn’t Brighton an active farm?

    Is there oil in them thar hills?

  9. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    The GoB position on this needs to be aired. I cannot for any reason agree to this.

  10. Donald Duck Esq, Avatar
    Donald Duck Esq,

    AH

    We all need to protest!!!!! There is more to come. If the government does not step up with a proper subsidy for the farmers alot of them simply wont be growing any sugar cane.

  11. Woe of the Windies Avatar
    Woe of the Windies

    I am calling for the removal of Chris Gayle as West Indies captain.

  12. Eat Cake Avatar
    Eat Cake

    If you think this is ridiculous then what about the 180 acres of agricultural land that will be lost in the North of the island to make way for a massive development planned by North Ridge Development Company Ltd?

    What is Mr. Benn’s and the Ministry of Agriculture’s official position on that development?

    The PM made a ministerial statement in parliament and the way it was reported was that the application was approved and the project was scheduled to commence this year on land at Pickering St. Lucy.

    Yes, development is needed in the North and the component of the development that proposes town and community centre facilities etc seems reasonable on an area of 4-5 acres. However the Physical Development Plan makes no mention of any development of this magnitude that changes the use of 180 acres of agricultural land.

    In fact the PDP says that any change of use of agricultural land over 10 hectares (25 acres) requires an amendment to the plan. Is that in the works or are they going to do it after the fact?

    http://beta.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/pick-of-st-lucy/

  13. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    You people are funny.

    The government is interested in winning the next election, and they are banking on the provision of housing and lots as the key pillar of their re-election campaign. As much as you rave about protecting agricultural lands and food security, such an agenda will do little to help the government remain in office because the issue does not have broad-based appeal like housing.

    Most if not all of government’s housing projects so far were conceptualized and developed by the previous administration and were ready to be rolled out –Coverley, Country Road, Tweedside Road, Valery, Fordes Road, Eckstein Village etc. They now have to look for their own projects which are primarily the $5/sq ft programme and rent-to-own.

    Because their MO is politically driven, they appear to be targeting constituencies that are presently DLP in an effort to solidify the vote, and this is being done at the expense of everything else including the misuse of fertile lands, and the purchase/acquisition of lands belonging to Todds Estates/CLICO including at Sam Lords Castle.

  14. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Stupseeeeeeeeee, wunna try an lef de blasted land do and look elsewhere. I would like de road from Brighton Plantation to Halton corner fix. Dah mek mo sense.

    Woe Of the Windies
    Ya got ma cryin. You in de right church but wrong pew man. But I wid you. He is a real fashion show pun de field. He like he doan even want he shirt wrinkle. And a big igrant gold chain pull thru de top a de shirt. Look sa foolish. I love Darren Sammy doe. Sorry I wasn’t lil younger. He look so gooddddddddddddd. Ummmmmmm.

  15. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    So, just how strong is the US economic recovery?

    We in the PDC just do not really know but a serious analysis of the below cut and paste information from the BBC news on line as at today Saturday, June 5, 2010, may give a little idea.

    US shares fall on weak jobs data

    US shares have seen big falls after it emerged that fewer jobs were created last month than expected.

    The Dow Jones index shed 324 points or 3.16% in Friday trading, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes also seeing falls of more than 3%.

    Some 431,000 jobs were created in May, the Labor Department said. However, analysts had expected 500,000 new jobs.

    Adding to the bleak outlook, most of the new jobs – about 411,000 – were temporary posts for 2010 Census staff.

    At the same time, the jobless rate fell to 9.7% in May, from 9.9% in April. Analysts said the decline was partly caused by 322,000 people leaving the workforce for a variety of reasons.

    The fall in the value of the Dow was its second-worst one-day decline so far this year. It was also the second time in two weeks that it closed below the 10,000 level.

    Stock markets in Europe also extended losses soon after the data was released.

    The FTSE 100 in London closed 1.6% lower and France’s Cac 40 index dropped 2.9%, while the Dax index in Germany fell 1.9%.

    Despite the market reaction, President Barack Obama said the jobs report showed the economy was getting “stronger by the day”.

    “We’ve now added jobs [in] six out of the last seven months. The question now is, how do we keep this momentum going?” he said.

    ‘Supportive’ policies

    In total, there were 15 million people out of work in the US in May.

    The number of long-term unemployed – those who have been out of work for 27 weeks or more – was unchanged from April at 6.8 million.

    The private sector showed weak job growth, with only 41,000 jobs created. These came largely from manufacturing, temporary help services and mining, while the construction sector saw job losses.

    “The private sector needs much more supportive government policies to accelerate the economic recovery and jobs creation,” commented Peter Morici, professor at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.

    Continue reading the main story Euro down to four-year dollar low
    The monthly jobs report is one of the most closely watched economic indicators in the US.

    High unemployment remains one of the biggest obstacles to strong, sustained growth.

    President Obama has said that creating jobs is his number one focus.

    On the currency markets, the euro fell to a new four-year low against the dollar after comments from French Prime Minister Francois Fillon suggested the single currency’s weakness was “good news”.

    The euro fell 1.4% to $1.19920, marking the first time it had fallen below $1.20 since March 2006.

    Non-eurozone EU member Hungary saw its currency, the forint, fall by 5.6% against the euro, amid growing fears that the country could be facing a Greek-style debt crisis.

    PDC

  16. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    In this year 2010, almost all land in Barbados is viable for Agriculture.
    You can build hydroponic farms on so called rab land.

    Food security should be a priority for Barbados.

    One day you may not have the money to import food so wanna betta start tinkin
    bout growin yuh own.

    Barbados is not utopia.

  17. David Avatar
    David

    BU thought the following exchanges between Senators Elizabeth Thompson and Peter Gilkes which occurred on Kammie Holder’s Facebook page exposes much of what is wrong with the political leadership which is absent from the agricultural debate in Barbados.

    Liz Thompson

    The dlp came to government making certain accusations of the BLP with regard to its land policy and insisting they would take a different approach. Peter Gilkes cannot get away with saying that the BLP did X or Y. In my view what he needs to explain is how they could pick up 150 acres in St Lucy followed by what Senator Chandler (who to be fair was also critical when the BLP used or acquired agricultural land for housing) described as some of the most fertile land in Barbados in the heart of the agricultural belt. We were voted out. The present government has to explain its own actions.

    Liz Thompson

    How could the minister of agriculture defend this? Well maybe I should not be surprised since he is presiding over $8 locally grown sweet potatoes. Did the officers in the Ministry of Agriculture support or reject the removal of these parcels of land from agriculture. Did the Minister over rule his officials and advisors? Why not choose rab lands. These are fertile soils even if they were not in production at the time. I have heard nothing to justify or explain or excuse it. Everyone supports the provision of housing but is the dlp trying to fool people that the heart of the St George agricultural belt is the only place land was available?

    Liz Thompson

    We know that St Lucy was pushed at all costs to placate Denis Kellman and stop him from upsetting the applecart over the leadership and seniority issue. So the country and agriculture are paying a price for internal dlp politics.

    Peter Gilkes

    In my view what he needs to explain is how they could pick up 150 acres in St Lucy,
    DO YOU KNOW WHO GAVE THE PERMISSION TO SUBDIVIDE PICKERINGS PLANTATION? IT WAS GRANTED UNDER THE OWEN ARTHUR PERIOD IN OFFICE.

    Liz Thompson

    Has the minister of environment commented on the putting of Barbados’ last remaining wetlands into another dlp project?

    Peter Gilkes

    This must be the most amusing element to politics for a party to have run a country for 14 years loose office and then have every answer under the sun that they did not have while in office, not a housing program, not a tourism program not a QEH program and suddenly all this smoke and mirrors and shadow advise.

    PS thought Ms Mottley was good today like you fell short of the mark at times but in the most part she was respectable today.

  18. Donald Duck Esq, Avatar
    Donald Duck Esq,

    Readers should note that the 2003 Physical Development Plan stated in the introduction that

    The Physical Development Plan Amended 2003, policies seek to ensure sufficient land use levels to meet Barbados’ export market and current levels of domestic production, translating into the need for approximately 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres) in agricultural use, of which 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) would be under cultivation of sugar and1,600 hectares (4,000 acres) for cotton, Agriculture presently occupies approximately 53,275 acres, of which it is estimated that approximately 10,000 is fallow.

    Compare and contrast this policy with a statement made in early 2008 by Prime Minister Thompson in New York with the land use policy enunciated by the DLP in the Throne Speech delivered in 2008.

    Tony Best reported in the Nation Newspaper on June 24, 2008 that Prime Minister Thompson sent a strong message to landowners and others to forget about taking arable agricultural land suitable for food production and turning it into housing development. He reported that Thompson went on to add that the Government intends to set an example by returning some of its own land to agriculture.
    Whereas in the Throne speech the acting Governor General said “On a larger canvas, my Government’s land use policies and the need to save agriculture, are part of the commitment to preserve the natural environment. It will therefore introduce the Agriculture Protection Act that will require a 2/3 majority of both Houses of Parliament for a change of use of land from agriculture. At least 30, 000 acres of land will be reserved for agricultural use

  19. Brother Eddy Avatar
    Brother Eddy

    Talk cheap it does tek money to buy whiskey.So many agricultral people connected to the DLP government and let dat flip through the slips. Whows dat umpire!!!. Difficult to match the morning words wid de evening words.

  20. David Avatar
    David

     

    The other interesting note was posted by Kammie on his FB page. Although funny it should resonate with Crusoe, Hants et al who have echoed concerns about our land policy and lack of a coherent food policy.

    Kammie Holder June 5 at 12:37pm

    The Secret on how to save $1000,000

    I went to buy a potato from a Supermarket, yes the same with the potato last week. Ingrunt me decided ask the cashier to weigh without bag as the $4.69 was too much. People that damn bag was costing me 6 cents would you believe. From ingrunt to foolish now to wise I told cashier even at the new price of $4.63 me nah buy that potato. The plastic bag was being sold at the weight of a pound of potato. That is Highway robbery!

  21. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    In my humble opinion if the Brighton land is good agricultural land leave it alone and keep utilising it for agricultural purposes and if suitable use for the greenhouse project.

    As for St Lucy, yes it does need a medical center etc. but it just seems like too much land is being used and the project too big. At the end of the day there are only so many people in Barbados so if people start utilising the facility in St Lucy, Speightstown will suffer and that’s only just been revived.

    You need some country areas. If you choose to live in the country you have to be prepared to travel. Take away the country and you’ll soon see how quickly crime etc. will increase.

    People complain about the West Coast being built up. Now it seems because the West and South Coasts are developed…hey lets head for the country areas.

    As tourism is still our main money earner we really need to think what do the tourist want to see when they come to Barbados. Sugar cane, green fields, coconut trees, chattel houses, rum shops, or concrete and air conditioning??

    If I was Minister Benn I would be feeling very embarrassed and cornered. Part of me suspects he is not in agreement with all this development of agricultural land but has been backed into a corner and is being made or chose to toe the party line.

    Come on Minister Benn get some back bone and stand up for what you believe in!

  22. David Avatar
    David

    @Pearl

    Minister Benn will be reluctant to come out and give up his pick by standing for principle because it will mean going back to Dacosta Mannings and begging back for a pick.

  23. AMAZED Avatar
    AMAZED

    The Barbadian people never stop fooling themselves out of the ten plantations in St Thomas only two is in agriculture production. These plantation did not go out of production in the last two years ,and why did senator Liz Thompson explain why she acquired four acres of active productive land at Applewhaites St George.politicians educate us and the pretend that we are foolish.

  24. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    @David too true.

    To add to my comment re St Lucy. What they need is a medical centre and a fire station. At the moment if there is a fire, the fire tenders have to come from Arch Hall and/or Weston St. James way too far. I say forget the cinema and the theatre and put in a fire station.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @Pearl

    A big issue with Pickering when BU looked at it back in June last year was the shortfall in water supply which the struggling BWA will have to supply. The EIA estimated the short would be close to 1.1 million cubic metres.

  26. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Amazed

    The former PM made no apologies for his government’s land policy, and only recently during debate in the Estimates reiterated his position. The current administration, however, was and remains critical of that approach even going as far as promising new legislation requiring a 2/3 parliamentary approval for change of use regarding agriculture lands. Any actions that are contrary to what they preached is therefore hypocritical and reveals what sensible people always knew.

  27. David Avatar
    David

    @Enuff

    A reasonable point.

  28. PICKERING BIS REGARDED IN THE ECOLOGICAL GROUPING OF SCOTLAND DISTRICT AND IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS PART OF NESFIELD ETC. Avatar
    PICKERING BIS REGARDED IN THE ECOLOGICAL GROUPING OF SCOTLAND DISTRICT AND IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS PART OF NESFIELD ETC.

    BARBADOSMOONTOWN.COM

  29. David Avatar
    David

    Ambassador Denis Kellman and MP for St.Lucy enters the debate. What do you expect? This project will mean a lot in economic terms for St. Lucy but in the context of National Development what?

  30. Kammie Holder Avatar
    Kammie Holder

    I have cautioned Kellman that this new development will mean the certain death of Speighstown. Kellman needs to take a leaf from Thompson`s and Errol Barrow`s book and put country first before constituency.

  31. Eatcake Avatar
    Eatcake

    David, is this a link? Where did Ddennis kellman enter the debate?

    PICKERING BIS REGARDED IN THE ECOLOGICAL GROUPING OF SCOTLAND DISTRICT AND IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS PART OF NESFIELD ETC

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @Eatcake

    Moontown is Kellman isn’t it?

  33. Eatcake Avatar
    Eatcake

    Yes, but I do not see where he entered the Pickering dabate on the moontown blog.

    Also what is or where does this reference come from:

    PICKERING BIS REGARDED IN THE ECOLOGICAL GROUPING OF SCOTLAND DISTRICT AND IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS PART OF NESFIELD ETC

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @Eatcake

    Barbadosmoontown is Kellman’s website, a good assumption to make is he or someone close to him posted the comment. You should call him and ask him about the BIS reference.

  35. Eatcake Avatar
    Eatcake

    It is just that I do not see that comment on the blog.

  36. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @Kammie Holder “I have cautioned Kellman that this new development will mean the certain death of Speighstown.”

    Speighstown will become like Holetown. Another Tourist centric area. That would complete the Inevitable West Coast concrete jungle and enhance the playground of the Rich and Famous.

  37. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    @David

    If there is a short fall of water in the area, why then add pressure to the water woes of the community by building up the area?

    St Lucy is such a beautiful Parish and a great get away from the town environment. It’s ‘under development’ is it’s beauty. Please don’t spoil it.

    As for Brighton, let it be and use for agricultural purposes.

    On another note I’m hearing the electricity bills

  38. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    On another note but linked to homes I’ heard horror stories about the electricity bills. Is it true they are double or more because of the fuel adjustment? I heard one person’s last bill was approx $90.00 and this month it’s over $200? Can this be for real? If so it’s fine building all these new homes but will people be able to pay for them as well as their utility bills and survive? Or will we be left like the US and UK with a lot of repossessed empty concrete structures on the island?

  39. David Avatar
    David

    @Pearl

    Perhaps the answer can be found in the fact Kelman has to be kept happy.

  40. Permres Avatar
    Permres

    You know folks, reading this stuff, particularly about land usage and care of the environment, short of protests on the street nothing is going to be done, and the buddy relationship between the DLP and the BNP will persist, lining all of their pockets at the expense of the people of Barbados, and their future as an independent, self-sufficient nation.

    We are a law-abiding people. I do not want to hi-jack the topic of this thread, but the People’s Democratic Congress are really beginning to make a lot of sense. So within the law, let us hold fast, continue to expose the corruption that is going on, and then in three years time let us all vote PDC!

    What do we have to lose!!!?

  41. Terence M. Blackett Avatar
    Terence M. Blackett

    @ PDC

    Beautiful piece on BIZZY* Williams!!!

  42. Terence M. Blackett Avatar
    Terence M. Blackett

    @ Permres

    “in three years time let us all vote PDC!!!”

    I say AMEN to that…

    Maybe a positional ministry of RELOCATION* & REDISTRIBUTION can also be created!!!

  43. Crossroads Avatar
    Crossroads

    Not going to vote for PDC, but their above piece on Bizzy is refreshing.

  44. Nostradamus Avatar
    Nostradamus

    See link below for the very amusing response of MP James Paul to question posed by Ian Bourne of Bajan Reporter about the failure of the DLP to implement their manifesto promise that “In the first 100 days introduce the Agriculture Protection Act that will require a 2/3 majority of both houses of parliament for a change of use of land from agriculture.”

    http://bajanreporter.com/?p=14094

  45. David Avatar
    David

    Are these Plantations still getting the agriculture rebate on their Land Tax?

    Plantations not in any meaningful production or partially in housing

    Exchange Pltn, St Thomas

    Alleynedale Pltn, St Peter

    Ebworth Pltn, St Peter

    Cottage Pltn, St George

    Golden Ridge Pltn, St George

    Bushy Park Plantation, St Philip

    Vaucluse Pltn, St Thomas

    Walkes Spring Pltn St Thomas

    Hopewell Pltn, St Thomas

    Ayshford Pltn, St Thomas

    Blowers Pltn, St James

    Plum Tree Pltn, St Peter?

    Turners Hall Pltn St Andrew

    Content Plantation, St Thomas

    Frizers Pltn, St Joseph

    Haynes Hill Plantation, St John

    Bath Pltn St John

    Bawden Pltn St Andrew

    Sedgepond St Andrew,

    Swan, St Andrew

    Waterford, St Michael

    Lancaster, St James

    Farm, St George

    Wotton Plantation Ch Ch

    Kingsland Pltn Ch Ch

    Hansen Pltn St Michael

    Adams Castle Pltn, Ch Ch.

    Palmers, St Philip

    Oldbury, St Philip

    Ellesmere. St george

    Market Hill, St George

    Bannatyne, Ch Ch

    Coverley, Ch Ch

    Lowland, ,Ch CH

    College, St John

    Bucks, St Thomas

    Bushy Park St Thomas

    Clifton, St Thomas

    Lion Castle, St Thomas

    Ridgeway, St Thomas

    Black Bess, St Peter

    oes River, St Joseph.,

    Cleland, St Andrew

    Spring Vale,St Andrew

    Baxters St Andrew

    Grove Pltn, St Philip- part in housing

    Foursquare St Philip, part developed

    Egerton Pltn, Ch Ch.

    Staple Grove Ch Ch – part being bulldozed for housing

    Lowthers Pltn., Ch Ch. Being developed

    Plantations not in any meaningful production or partially in housing

    Exchange Pltn, St Thomas

    Alleynedale Pltn, St Peter

    Ebworth Pltn, St Peter

    Cottage Pltn, St George

    Golden Ridge Pltn, St George

    Bushy Park Plantation, St Philip

    Vaucluse Pltn, St Thomas

    Walkes Spring Pltn St Thomas

    Hopewell Pltn, St Thomas

    Ayshford Pltn, St Thomas

    Blowers Pltn, St James

    Plum Tree Pltn, St Peter?

    Turners Hall Pltn St Andrew

    Content Plantation, St Thomas

    Frizers Pltn, St Joseph

    Haynes Hill Plantation, St John

    Bath Pltn St John

    Bawden Pltn St Andrew

    Sedgepond St Andrew,

    Swan, St Andrew

    Waterford, St Michael

    Lancaster, St James

    Farm, St George

    Wotton Plantation Ch Ch

    Kingsland Pltn Ch Ch

    Hansen Pltn St Michael

    Adams Castle Pltn, Ch Ch.

    Palmers, St Philip

    Oldbury, St Philip

    Ellesmere. St george

    Market Hill, St George

    Bannatyne, Ch Ch

    Coverley, Ch Ch

    Lowland, ,Ch CH

    College, St John

    Bucks, St Thomas

    Bushy Park St Thomas

    Clifton, St Thomas

    Lion Castle, St Thomas

    Ridgeway, St Thomas

    Black Bess, St Peter

    oes River, St Joseph.,

    Cleland, St Andrew

    Spring Vale,St Andrew

    Baxters St Andrew

    Grove Pltn, St Philip- part in housing

    Foursquare St Philip, part developed

    Egerton Pltn, Ch Ch.

    Staple Grove Ch Ch – part being bulldozed for housing

    Lowthers Pltn., Ch Ch. Being developed

    Plantations not in any meaningful production or partially in housing

    Exchange Pltn, St Thomas

    Alleynedale Pltn, St Peter

    Ebworth Pltn, St Peter

    Cottage Pltn, St George

    Golden Ridge Pltn, St George

    Bushy Park Plantation, St Philip

    Vaucluse Pltn, St Thomas

    Walkes Spring Pltn St Thomas

    Hopewell Pltn, St Thomas

    Ayshford Pltn, St Thomas

    Blowers Pltn, St James

    Plum Tree Pltn, St Peter?

    Turners Hall Pltn St Andrew

    Content Plantation, St Thomas

    Frizers Pltn, St Joseph

    Haynes Hill Plantation, St John

    Bath Pltn St John

    Bawden Pltn St Andrew

    Sedgepond St Andrew,

    Swan, St Andrew

    Waterford, St Michael

    Lancaster, St James

    Farm, St George

    Wotton Plantation Ch Ch

    Kingsland Pltn Ch Ch

    Hansen Pltn St Michael

    Adams Castle Pltn, Ch Ch.

    Palmers, St Philip

    Oldbury, St Philip

    Ellesmere. St george

    Market Hill, St George

    Bannatyne, Ch Ch

    Coverley, Ch Ch

    Lowland, ,Ch CH

    College, St John

    Bucks, St Thomas

    Bushy Park St Thomas

    Clifton, St Thomas

    Lion Castle, St Thomas

    Ridgeway, St Thomas

    Black Bess, St Peter

    oes River, St Joseph.,

    Cleland, St Andrew

    Spring Vale,St Andrew

    Baxters St Andrew

    Grove Pltn, St Philip- part in housing

    Foursquare St Philip, part developed

    Egerton Pltn, Ch Ch.

    Staple Grove Ch Ch – part being bulldozed for housing

    Lowthers Pltn., Ch Ch. Being developed

  46. Permres Avatar
    Permres

    I listened to an MP on TV8 last Thursday, 10th June, who apparently had been talking on one of these call-in radio programmes here in Barbados. I do not listen to the radio, so do not know whether or not the 2/3 voting required to change land use was mentioned.

    What incensed me is what this MP said, that these two strips of land are close by to an already developed area, and therefore access and other infrastructure was already in place.

    I do not know about Barbados, but I know in the UK they have established the idea of a green belt around urban areas.

    Or look at it this way, a buffer strip between agricultural land and urban development is essential to the well-being of the local housing residents. It may be used for agriculture, or it may be left fallow, it may be developed for recreational purposes (even left fallow it does that anyway!), and sometimes in the UK, such as alongside railway lines, it is offered as so-called allotments so that the nearby residents can rent a plot and grow market garden produce.

    Are these politicians really interested in the future sustainable development of Barbados? Once these two strips are gone, ten years down the line (or perhaps less) the next two strips will go.

  47. David Avatar
    David

    @Permres

    You have made an excellent comment.

    Often times politicians make statements which are devoid of sense but accepted because they have been conferred with the title of minister or parliamentary secretary.

    We need to ensure there is a place for the technocrats and temper the attitude of politicians to pander to constituents at ALL cost.

  48. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Given the scarcity of land in Barbados, Developers should consider building Hi rise Luxury condos.

    Housing developments for the poor and lower middle class should always have an area for kitchen gardens.

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