ROADTOWN Tortola BVI,  April 2nd, 2012  – Residents of the Carrot Bay community came out in numbers on Tuesday to discuss the Final Draft of the proposed Carrot Bay Community Development Plan 2010 – 2020.

The well attended and conversational public meeting was organised by the Planning Authority and the Town and Country Planning Department at the Abraham Leonard Community Centre.

Following an introduction by Chief Planner Mrs. Marva Titley-Smith to set the tone for the discussion, Deputy Chief Planner Mr. Ron Beard presented the draft plan, which was generated from previous meetings with the Carrot Bay community and Carrot Bay Community Development Committee.

According to Mr. Beard, residents engaged in a lively discussion on various aspects of the Development Plan, saying, “Residents were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and support for the development plan, which is based on sustainable development principles. The community response was positive.”

Regarding the ten-year plan, Deputy Chief Planner said that the focus is the community’s future development, now centred on the existing village, after which will be the adjacent land and hillsides.

Several project proposals were discussed including one for the existing landfill where the Annual Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta is held; of which Mr. Beard said, “The master plan for the area seeks to improve its environmental quality and make it more useful for the community. There was general support for these proposals and constructive suggestions were made regarding the design and phasing of the dock and its maintenance. ”

Plans include a dock for the local fishermen, a multi-purpose centre containing a combined Fish and Agricultural Market, Local Heritage Centre and an off-shoot of the Maritime Museum at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Regularised car parking and vendor kiosks are also proposed, but will not inhibit the use of the area during the festival. Other proposals were given community support including improvements to coastal defences, the regeneration of agricultural areas, village conservation projects and eco-tourism business opportunities for the younger people of the community to take forward.

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams thanked the Town and Country Planning Department for their efforts and stressed the importance of continued active involvement by the community in its future and suggested that the experience gained from the Carrot Bay Community Development Plan exercise, could provide a good example of how future planning in other communities might be progressed over the coming years.

Representative for the First District Honourable Andrew Fahie also voiced his support to plans presented and urged the community to recognise the importance of future planning for and by the community.

The audience, which comprised over 40 residents, was encouraged to review the Final Draft document, which will be made available in due course. It is intended that the Development Plan will be presented to Government Departments and then the Planning Authority and, once final revisions are made, taken to Cabinet for review and approval.

For more information, please telephone Physical Planner Mr. Dylan Penn at the Town and Country Planning Department at 468-3701 extension 2158.

The preparation of the Carrot Bay Development Plan is in keeping with Part III of the Physical Planning Act and its goals which are to bring about orderly and coordinated physical development of the community and its surrounding areas. The Government of the Virgin Islands continues to pride itself on building a ‘people Government’ through listening, collaboration, consultation and communication.

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