In March of 2014 there was a discussion about the ‘tearing up’ of land located in the agriculture belt of St. George.
In 2026 under a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) government, we are witnessing the same ‘tearing up’ of land a couple kilometres away at Constant, St. George, adjacent to the ramshackle Buckley Sugar factory.
Relevant Link: Lower Greys Located in Proximity to the St. George Valley Agriculture Belt is Under Construction.
The Robinsons have done what needed to be done and acquired ‘change of use’ and voila, once agriculture land is currently being carved upon like a shoulder ham at Christmas time. There will be the arguments that the land must be able to fetch its economic value, or that the Robinsons needed to offload because the agriculture model is loss making etc etc etc. But where is a national policy that ring fences our best lands? Should national interest not override individuals IF we are serious about food security and food sovereignty of Barbados?
Relevant Link: Constant Plantation land approved for housing by government
The time has come for our ‘leaders’ to stop the long talk and enforce a land use policy that aligns and delivers on national strategies to support the interest of residents. Barbados is 166 square miles – give or take – therefore commonsense should be that we stop the planting of concrete at the whim and fancy of politicians looking for votes, or greasing the palms of greedy actors.
As a country boy, it harrows the blogmaster with fear and wonder that an intelligent Barbadian somewhere in the Planning and Development Department, approved the housing development at Constant. An approval that was likely heavily influenced by those in charge of Big Works.
First they came to Mount Wilton,and cut up prime agricultural land to put big houses on. I did not live anywhere near Mount Wilton so I rocked back and did nothing.
Next they came to Castle Grant, and cut up prime agricultural land to put big houses on. I did not live near Castle Grant, so I sat back and did nothing.
Then they came to Lower Grays, where I live, to cut up prime agricultural land to put big houses on ….. ….. ….Still those people who are living on top of the hill, in the tenantry, on prime residential land, overlooking the picturesque St George Valley, are lucky not to be removed, like they did the people in 40 Acres in St Thomas some years ago.
Source: Late Commenter Colonel Buggy
What is unfolding at Constant is not an isolated misstep; it is the continuation of a trend born out of greed and laziness. In 2014, Lower Greys was carved up in the heart of St. George’s agricultural belt. The faces in Cabinet changed but decision making did not. Barbados keeps treating land as though it were a replenishable commodity instead of the finite, irreplaceable resource of a tiny island.
The Robinsons did what the system allows, apply for change of use, wait for the ‘nod’, and then convert agricultural land into another concrete Coverley in Barbados St. George Valley known for agriculture production. The problem is not the Robinsons. The problem is successive governments failing on its mandate to protect our interests.
If Barbados does not change course, it will sink under its weight.
Are we there yet?
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.