BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN recent times, a male security guard was regularly seen at the entrance to Mattingley Heights. This new development has attracted the attention of many individuals and has left inquiring minds to wonder if Mattingley Heights is a gated community or slowly becoming one.
A gated community is a form of residential community or housing estate containing strictly-controlled entrances for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles, and often characterised by a closed perimeter of walls and fences. Gated communities usually consist of small residential streets and include various shared amenities.
To enter some gated communities, an individual must be a registered resident with photo ID or an access code to the gate, or they must have a friend in the gated community who will give specific instructions to the security guards at the gate.
The security personnel at the Mattingley Heights’ entrance has been seen seated under a tree on several occasions, but recently SKNVibes had observed a little white concrete hut on the right side upon entering the community, as well as a cross gate which seems to be operated from a leaver inside hut.
One resident said although she is uncertain as to the reason for the guard’s presence, she thinks it is to stop any suspicious looking character from entering the premises for the safety of the students who live in the area.
SKNVibes contacted Sustainable Development to find enquire if the Federation houses any gated communities and, if so, what is the procedure.
Senior Development Control Officer Terrance De Costa told this media house that although he is uncertain if gated communities are allowed, there is one in the Federation - Sundance Ridge at the South East Peninsula.
De Costa said in order for there to be a gated community, it has to be privately owned and one has to be building an entire development and submit the plans to a board, which would have to entail a development plan, lot sizes, subdivision sizes and an outline of the different divisions.
