Bahamas News
04-08-05, - 11:38 AM
BDM Raises Concerns Over New Gladstone Subdivision
Royanne Forbes
The Bahama Journal
http://www.jonesbahamas.com/data/images/news/categories/BDM-subdivision.jpg
From left are BDM Leader Cassius Stuart; Shadow Minister of Housing Sidney Carroll Jr.; and Deputy Leader Omar Smith. (Photo by Omar Barr)
Members of The Bahamas Democratic Movement on Thursday expressed outrage at the government’s decision to approve the development of the Victoria Gardens Subdivision, on the site of the old Gladstone chicken farm and called for the immediate termination of the Ministry of Works official who signed off on the approval.
However, Director of Physical Planning Michael Major told The Bahama Journal that two main factors were taken into consideration and weighed before the subdivision was approved.
“In this case the approval to develop Victoria Gardens over the site of Gladstone Farms came after we considered the existing industrial uses on Gladstone Road, including the liquefied propane gas companies and the location of the city dump to the east of the development and the potential conflict that could arise,” Mr. Major said.
“We looked at the trend of communities in that area, Jubilee Gardens is just south of the development and Tall Pines a bit over and there has never been any recorded complaints about the quality of air and the industrial operation on Gladstone Road nor were there any complaints about periodic fires emanating from the city dump. These issues only came up after the development was approved.”
An explosion caused by the presence of propane gas canisters at the construction and demolition area of the city dump off Harrold Road triggered a blaze in January, which had authorities battling for days to contain it.
The blaze had moved west toward Gladstone Road in the vicinity of Moss Gas, creating concerns that a more serious situation was about to unfold.
The fire also moved dangerously close to the nearby Jubilee Gardens Subdivision before authorities got it under control.
Yet another dump fire in March had residents in the area again expressing fresh concerns.
Sidney Carroll Jr., shadow minister of housing for the BDM, said that a study should have been conducted to determine the negative impact the city dump and the build up of chemical waste from the farm would have on the land.
“By no means should this development have passed an environmental assessment test since, over the years, the build up of chicken waste and other chemicals used for production at the farm has contaminated the water table,” Mr. Carroll claimed.
“When it rains, ammonia from the chicken manure and other chemicals are extracted and go directly into the water table making it unusable for at least 50 years.”
He also raised concerns about building another subdivision next to propane gas companies.
“How could this developer be allowed to construct homes or even sell property for residential use when they are less than 100 yards from a propane gas facility? If there is an explosion at any one of those facilities, many Bahamians would lose their lives.
“At what cost are we prepared to put the lives of Bahamians at risk? How could a developer in good conscience sell these lots for residential dwelling? It is a shame and a disgrace to put people’s lives at risk for a few dollars.”
Mr. Major further pointed out that he felt his department had dealt with all of the concerns that residents living in the area would have and that the area is relatively safe for the construction of another community.
“The gas companies have to meet and operate at a particular standard, therefore the potential of fire is reduced and we feel as though we have adequately addressed the concerns regarding the potential conflicts with industrial uses on Gladstone Road,” Mr. Major explained.
“If persons have concerns they should submit them specifically to Town Planning at the Ministry of Works and address it to the director.”
Meanwhile, the BDM also called on the government to force the developer to reimburse every Bahamian who has already bought property in that area.
“We are asking the government to immediately stop this development because of the possibility of a future health crisis,” Mr. Carroll said. “There is absolutely no reason why Bahamian people or simply people for that matter should be exposed to toxins, dangerous chemicals or waste simply because of the greed of some.”
Kings Realty and Tropical Realty are selling properties in the subdivision, which range from $38,000 for a residential plot to $200,000 for a commercial lot.
Royanne Forbes
The Bahama Journal
http://www.jonesbahamas.com/data/images/news/categories/BDM-subdivision.jpg
From left are BDM Leader Cassius Stuart; Shadow Minister of Housing Sidney Carroll Jr.; and Deputy Leader Omar Smith. (Photo by Omar Barr)
Members of The Bahamas Democratic Movement on Thursday expressed outrage at the government’s decision to approve the development of the Victoria Gardens Subdivision, on the site of the old Gladstone chicken farm and called for the immediate termination of the Ministry of Works official who signed off on the approval.
However, Director of Physical Planning Michael Major told The Bahama Journal that two main factors were taken into consideration and weighed before the subdivision was approved.
“In this case the approval to develop Victoria Gardens over the site of Gladstone Farms came after we considered the existing industrial uses on Gladstone Road, including the liquefied propane gas companies and the location of the city dump to the east of the development and the potential conflict that could arise,” Mr. Major said.
“We looked at the trend of communities in that area, Jubilee Gardens is just south of the development and Tall Pines a bit over and there has never been any recorded complaints about the quality of air and the industrial operation on Gladstone Road nor were there any complaints about periodic fires emanating from the city dump. These issues only came up after the development was approved.”
An explosion caused by the presence of propane gas canisters at the construction and demolition area of the city dump off Harrold Road triggered a blaze in January, which had authorities battling for days to contain it.
The blaze had moved west toward Gladstone Road in the vicinity of Moss Gas, creating concerns that a more serious situation was about to unfold.
The fire also moved dangerously close to the nearby Jubilee Gardens Subdivision before authorities got it under control.
Yet another dump fire in March had residents in the area again expressing fresh concerns.
Sidney Carroll Jr., shadow minister of housing for the BDM, said that a study should have been conducted to determine the negative impact the city dump and the build up of chemical waste from the farm would have on the land.
“By no means should this development have passed an environmental assessment test since, over the years, the build up of chicken waste and other chemicals used for production at the farm has contaminated the water table,” Mr. Carroll claimed.
“When it rains, ammonia from the chicken manure and other chemicals are extracted and go directly into the water table making it unusable for at least 50 years.”
He also raised concerns about building another subdivision next to propane gas companies.
“How could this developer be allowed to construct homes or even sell property for residential use when they are less than 100 yards from a propane gas facility? If there is an explosion at any one of those facilities, many Bahamians would lose their lives.
“At what cost are we prepared to put the lives of Bahamians at risk? How could a developer in good conscience sell these lots for residential dwelling? It is a shame and a disgrace to put people’s lives at risk for a few dollars.”
Mr. Major further pointed out that he felt his department had dealt with all of the concerns that residents living in the area would have and that the area is relatively safe for the construction of another community.
“The gas companies have to meet and operate at a particular standard, therefore the potential of fire is reduced and we feel as though we have adequately addressed the concerns regarding the potential conflicts with industrial uses on Gladstone Road,” Mr. Major explained.
“If persons have concerns they should submit them specifically to Town Planning at the Ministry of Works and address it to the director.”
Meanwhile, the BDM also called on the government to force the developer to reimburse every Bahamian who has already bought property in that area.
“We are asking the government to immediately stop this development because of the possibility of a future health crisis,” Mr. Carroll said. “There is absolutely no reason why Bahamian people or simply people for that matter should be exposed to toxins, dangerous chemicals or waste simply because of the greed of some.”
Kings Realty and Tropical Realty are selling properties in the subdivision, which range from $38,000 for a residential plot to $200,000 for a commercial lot.