Stephanie Coleman, Gleaner Writer
THE URBAN Development Corporation (UDC) has revised the Hellshire Environmental Management Plan (HEMP) which is to guide the construction of a J$480 million housing development in the Hellshire Hills and Goat Islands, a UDC-designated location that falls within the Portland Bight Protected Area.
Contrary to a release issued by the UDC, Caribbean Coastal Area Management
(C-CAM) foundation president, Dr. Peter Espeut, yesterday denied his organisation was cooperating with the UDC in the implementation of the development and had knowledge of the new HEMP.
"I've seen the old plan but I haven't seen the revised one," Dr. Espeut said.
"There has been no dialogue, not one sentence in the last two years but we stand ready," he continued.
The new plan outlines the strategies and implementation framework that will ensure the protection and sustainability of natural resources, wildlife species, endangered animals and eco-systems in the Hellshire Hills.
RECRUITING PERSONNEL
According to the UDC release, the corporation is recruiting environmental and enforcement personnel and preparing signs that identify the protected area and species. The UDC has also started an ongoing public awareness campaign about the plan among the Hellshire residents.
The corporation is currently in discussions with the University of the West Indies' Life Science Department to undertake a research programme in Hellshire.
Environmental groups were doubtful about the environmental soundness of the Hellshire Environmental Management Plan and the UDC's ability to supervise its compliance to environmental standards.
"They don't have a very good environmental record," said Dr. Espeut.
The UDC signed the J$480 million contract with West Indies Home Contractors Limited in December 2005 to construct Hellshire Glades housing development in Hellshire Park, St. Catherine. Hellshire Glades will consist of 165 single-family dwellings on 9.4 hectares of land and is to be constructed in three phases over a one-year period.
