THE NATIONAL Planning and Environment Agency (NEPA) will be conducting a socio-economic survey in Goshen, St. Elizabeth that when complete, will lay the framework for further development of the area.
Teams from the National Spatial Planning and Research, NEPA will be working in Goshen between Monday, February 17 and Friday, February 21 to collect information that will guide the future development of the areas. This exercise is one component of the research activities geared towards preparing an integrated development plan for the community.
Goshen is one of an estimated 327 government land settlement sites in Jamaica. These land settlements were designed primarily for agricultural purposes, although there are a few that were earmarked for residential purposes. Most of these settlements are facing severe land use pressures because of their location within, or in close proximity to major urban centres which makes them affordable residential areas for those seeking employment in the nearby urban centres.
The situation in Goshen is particularly urgent as the rapid expansion of Mandeville and Santa Cruz in recent years have placed additional pressure on the district as a residential community. The absence of a land use zoning strategy has prevented further growth and development of the community, as the approval agencies are "unwilling to adopt a piecemeal approach" to approvals of subdivision applications within the area.
While many sub-division applications have been made, head of NEPA's National Spatial Planning and Research Branch Kirk Haughton explains that these applications cannot be processed because Goshen has no development plan. He emphasised, that all efforts would be made to retain the most productive agricultural units while regularising the existing residential situation.
The survey will help to solve this problem as well as to determine the future needs of the community, Mr. Haughton said. He explained, "a development plan would also assist in the preparation of a land-use zoning proposal". The survey will also help to determine the best areas to build, the future placement and development of roads and the location of commercial buildings and factories. It will also identify those areas that cannot be used for development.
According to Mr. Haughton, unless that development plan is completed, many residents will still not be able to subdivide their lands.
Goshen currently suffers from poor roads, electric and water supplies and a lack of basic infrastructure. Some sections of the community suffer frequent flooding during heavy rains. According to residents the lack of development has also resulted in a decline in agricultural production because the absence of secure land tenure has prevented them from accessing loans from financial institutions.
Members of the National Spatial and Research Branch will be meeting with members of the Goshen community on Sunday, February 23, to discuss the survey and the expected outcomes.
