By Rayon Dyer, Gleaner WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE PERENNIAL problem of illegal construction in St. Elizabeth, which has been a long-standing concern to the Parish Council, is said to be on the decline due to the Council's increased vigilance against those who are seeking to circumvent the law.
Over recent years, the Council has been at odds with persons, who have been seeking to construct both residential and commercial buildings without its approval. Last year, the then Mayor of Black River, former councillor Daphne Holmes, reported that she had received a death threat after the Council placed a stop order on a building that was being constructed illegally.
"We have reduced the amount of illegal structures that were going up in the parish by 60 per cent," said Kenroy Stewart, the Parish Council's Superintendent for Roads and Works. "This is a problem we have been trying to deal with for sometime now. Most of the illegal properties we have clamped down on were residential buildings."
CHEAP WAY OUT
In putting an economic spin on the situation, Mr. Stewart said the persons involved in illegal constructions were basically trying to find a cheap way out by bypassing the provision, which require that they seek a building permit from the Parish Council.
"The Council cannot allow people to put up buildings without due regard for the various safety regulations," said Mr. Stewart, who noted that the illegal practise had resulted in the Council losing significant revenue. "We have a responsibility to ensure that all buildings meet the requited safety and zoning requirements."
Within recent times, members of the planning committee of the Council have been speaking out against the vast amount of illegal structures that were going up in the parish and the need to urgently address the problem.
Mr. Stewart said that as a result of the clamp down initiated by the Council, building fees to the agency have increased by about 50 per cent or approximately $300,000.
