News
Crown Land Review Published for Public Consumption
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, December 12, 2022 – The joint review on Crown Land is now available for islanders to read and assess the recommendations that will eventually be instituted into TCI law. UK representative Zach Goldsmith, described the new joint report as ‘practical and well-considered’ according to a release by the Premier’s office on the weekend.
The 300 page document created by R Donhue Gardiner, attorney at law and Professor Simon Cooper culminated in 146 recommendations which were agreed to by both governments.
The first 10 recommendations of the review focus on what Crown Land should be used for and how it should be allocated to individuals and businesses, doing away with the lottery system as promised by Premier Washington Misick.
The government has agreed to earmark crown land for certain policy mandated purposes with the first and foremost purpose being for creating residential properties, only after this will properties be able to be earmarked for sale or lease otherwise.
It has agreed to emphasise and prioritise the housing development options, instead of individual developments; these residential properties must be available to residents by lease freehold lease or license. TCIG will have explicit
In terms of properties or land sales there will be a points system and waiting list except in cases of short leases, in that case the recommendations stipulate that a needs based system with an appropriate application process will apply.
The merits of any public private partnerships must be actively investigated and potential demand for Crown land by the Crown Land Unit be undertaken on an island-by-island basis; new islander discounts are also included in the document.
Recommendations 11-21 deal with mortgages and stamp duties as well as other necessities to help residents acquire the designated crown land and Conditional Purchase Leases.
Residents will now pay taxes on undeveloped land to “encourage residential development”. Single families will be encouraged to live in residential areas as the government prioritises turnkey housing, particularly multi-family and multi-unit housing, sets higher density zoning for residential Crown land and exercising restraint in the size of undeveloped residential Crown land plots that are offered for a single-family house.
The discount on undeveloped land for islanders will be increased to 50 percent; TCIG will encourage mortgage lenders to offer residents with good credit standing preferential loans and institute stamp duty waivers and deferrals for first time buyers and units to institute them.
There will be no more Conditional Purchase Leases which formerly allowed residents to hold a property for three years instead turnkey housing will be the priority for those people still unable to afford undeveloped land even with the benefit of the Islander discount. And any current conditional leases must expire no later than two years after the new reforms come into force.
In terms of expired CPLs residents with successful applications to purchase CPL’s will have any rent arrears removed additionally, coming in the future, a scheme for employer obligations to provide housing.
The joint review, with 126 more recommendations, was commissioned by the UK and the TCI to address issues with crown land for the benefit of TCI residents and is now available for all residents to read here.