Premier says proper implementation must follow sound planning

Premier Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE is part of the audience listening attentively to one of the presentations at the conference on Sustainability and the National Physical Development Plan hosted by the Town and Country Planning Department on Friday, November 7. The conference was held in commemoration of World Town Planning Day. Photo Credit: Mr. Doron Hodge/GIS

Delivering remarks at the conference on Sustainability and the National Physical Development Plan on the occasion of World Town Planning Day, Honourable O’Neal said “proper planning is very good” but should go one step further.

He added “what peeves me is to see plans and programmes done and then they gather dust on the shelves––wasted time and effort.”

Noting that a drive around the Territory would reveal many unfinished projects for which plans were made, Honourable O’Neal said “I believe that when you make plans they must be put into effect. The implementation of the plans is important.”

He noted too that the Territory is susceptible to hurricanes and earthquakes and cautioned architects and engineers to ensure that the buildings they design and construct are of a “certain standard in order to withstand the vagaries of hurricanes and earthquakes.”

The Premier also encouraged inspectors of the Town and Country Planning Department to be firm and ensure that builders adhere to the stipulations outlined in the Physical Planning Act, 2004.
Commending the involvement of the Contractors Association of the Virgin Islands Limited and the Architects’ and Engineers’ Association, Honourable O’Neal stressed the importance of collaboration in ensuring that the Territory’s development is sustainable.

“We are all working for the same purpose; we are working for improvement. It is natural to have different views but we can all work together,” he said.

Chief Planner Mr. Louis Potter also underscored the importance of planning in ensuring sustainable development. Mr. Potter is hoping that the Territory’s National Physical Development Plan would be fully approved within the next year. ~~Adz:Right~~

Mr. Potter described the plan as “a very important tool which will be used to guide the development of the country.” He also noted that under the Physical Planning Act, all development, whether public or private should be approved by the Planning Authority.

The Chief Planner urged private developers to view road cutting as an integral part of development. He said developers have traditionally sought permission for residential and commercial buildings and sub-divisions but they do not consult the Planning Authority for cutting roads and according to him, this must change.

“We need to ensure that road cutting is seen as development, not only must we get an alignment through the road, we must have a very effective gradient and the material that you are using. We must have proper profiling cross-sections,” the Chief Planner said.  He added “we must have ways and means to mitigate or prevent erosion and we must have a maintenance plan for the roads.”

Friday’s conference included a number of presentations focussing on the achievement of sustainable development which is widely defined as developing in a manner that does not impose on the needs of future development.

In his presentation, keynote speaker, Mr. Ben Turner said “it is important to think about what the risks are before breaking ground for a project.” He noted too that environmental impact assessments and construction management plans are an essential element of the planning process.

World Town Planning Day is observed annually on November 8, providing an opportunity for town planners to educate the public on the importance of planning.