Transparency, Public Participation as National Physical Development Plan undergoes Modification

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, July 19, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Island (TCI) Government is embarking on a major sustainable policy for the National Physical Development Plan (NPDDP), on urban planning, with input from the public.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Jamell Robinson said the administration has accepted that there must be transparency and public participation in the activity, and it is responding to requests being made by citizens across the island.

“We saw it fit given the amount of requests, that we open up the process so we can see what other amendments might be needed,” the Minister said. By opening the plan for public review and seeking feedback, the Government intends to create a development roadmap that reflects the needs and aspirations of its citizens, the Minister outlined.

The administration’s obligation to transparency and public engagement in the NPDP modification process, is a major move in the direction of inclusive urban planning, for the TCI.

By matching the diverse needs with environmental sustainability, and addressing challenging issues like informal settlements, a draft proposal is available for public scrutiny at the Planning Department in Grand Turk and Providenciales. It is also available at all District Commissioners offices (North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Salt Cay), Public Libraries, Post Offices, the National Trust offices, and the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources offices.

The Minister said designations will be law, and some of the informal settlements are beyond not having planning permission, because of the way they were built beyond the normal high density in some instances, and they are outside of planning permissions, outside of designation,  and the Informal Settlement Unit was set up to bring all of them into hand with regularisation and or demolition.

They will be treated in line with the National Physical Development Plan, he said. Assistant Director of Planning Leonardo Glasgow said, “whether you have ownership of land or not, you may be affected by a change in zoning to an area you live in, or live directly next to,” he told his audience.

He added that after that partnership is established, then “we will get our enforcement notice granted to us, and then we will be able to issue enforcement notice on all the occupants and the owner,” Mr. Glasgow stated.

A comprehensive document guiding the country’s physical development, was revised in 2020, because of the flood of requests for modifications, combined with the Government’s responsibility to inclusive decision-making, a re-visitation became necessary.

Director of Planning, Toriano Williams said the NPDP’s crucial role in shaping the country’s future is important, and people understand that the National Physical Development Plan is a tool that shapes really, when and how development takes place.