BRADES, Montserrat, September 6th, 2011 – The first draft of Montserrat’s Physical Development Plan 2012-2022 is now complete says officials from the Physical Planning Unit (PPU). According to a statement from the unit, the plan is “currently being reviewed by members of the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) and the ministers.

Any changes that the review panel make will be incorporated into a revised draft which will be further checked for consistency with Government of Montserrat (GOM) policy by the ministries and Heads of Departments.”

The PPU says the Draft PDP will be open for public consultation for the statutory 60 days from October 24 to December 22. This new phase will begin with a launch where the public can look at the display boards and other materials showing the main elements of the draft Physical Development Plan.

During the 60-day public consultation period the team will be presenting relevant parts of the PDP to the communities covered by the Local Area Plans (LAPs). They will also hold focus discussions with special interest groups including the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce, Montserrat Christian Council, the Montserrat Rotary and Rotaract Clubs and the Farmers Association.

Members of the public will be able to review a summary version or the full length PDP, which will be available on the GOM website, in the public library and in selected government offices. Individuals who believe they will be negatively impacted on by the updated PDP will be encouraged to make representations to suggest changes or improvements.

These representations will be assessed by the PDA in January and those changes considered appropriate will be incorporated into the Final Physical Development Plan. The PDP is then scheduled to be passed by the Legislative Council in February or March 2012.

“The PDP 2012-2022 provides a framework to help deliver the goals of the Sustainable Development Plan 2008-2020. North Montserrat has limited land resources but plenty of potential for future economic and population growth.

The PDP seeks a balance between promoting residential and commercial and agricultural growth in Montserrat while making sure that environmental resources are protected and the risks of disaster, such as hurricanes, are minimised.

The PDP aims to reduce tensions between different land uses – for example between residential areas and area appropriate for small-scale industry. It also aims to provide suitable local community and recreational facilities across the island. The necessary infrastructure to support immediate and future development is also being planned.”

The PPU also plans to involve students in the conversation on global and local issues such as land use and urban planning, sustainable development and environmental protection.

To coincide with the release of the results of the 2011 Census, it was agreed to change the plan period from 2011-2020 to 2012 -2022 to ensure that 2021 census results are incorporated into the next PDP from 2023-2032.

IMC Worldwide Ltd is the consultant firm which is managing the Montserrat Physical Development Plan 2012-2022 project.

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