It has become evident of late more Barbadians are beginning to wake up to the possibility of Barbados sinking under the weight of concrete. The unplanned development allowed in Barbados under the eye of the Chief Town Planner Mark Cummins and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart – who has responsibility for Town Planning – is an abomination to right thinking Bajans. History may record that the Lower Greys development maybe the catalyst that forced otherwise uncaring Barbadians to wake up and take back what is left of our little island from the greedy and the rich.
Government must be commended for commissioning a land use plan for the large swath of land from St. David’s to St. Patricks. It is a part of Barbados which remains in a relatively pristine condition and future development should be informed by mistakes made of the last 20 years. The idea that land on a 21×14 island must be sold to fetch its highest economic cost betrays the national cry ‘these hills and fields beyond recall. Are now our very own’ in a country which does not have alien land holding laws.
It has taken too long for Barbadians to come to the realization that we need to change course regarding how limited land resources must be employed. The feedback given at a meeting held this week at the St. Patrick’s Hall was a clear signal to government current policy must change or expect a revolt. The chairperson and consultant Dr. Yolanda Alleyne tried her best to steer attendees to give feedback during a Q&A session under three categories:
What do you like. What you do not like and what you would like to see change. The majority of residents and others who spoke used the opportunity to send a message that agriculture must be at the core of development in the area. Although Dr. Frank Alleyne who is a consultant on the project gave his assurance that arable land will not be used for housing, he is not the Chief Planner and therefore his assurance although well-meaning must be taken as moot. It is unfortunate Chief Town Planner Cummins did not see it fit to assure attendees that the several hundred applications to develop land in the area under planning consideration will be held in abeyance until the consultant’s plan takes form in October.
If the temperature is to be measured from the town hall at St. Patricks this week, Bajans are ready to stand up to save what little is left of our agricultural land but it maybe too late. We wait for the second town hall meeting in October when details of the plan will be made public.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.