Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

An agreement is being finalised between the St. Ann Parish Council and the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) over the proposed development of a housing scheme at Shaw Park Glades, St. Ann.

The parish council had placed a stop order on the alleged unauthorised development of lands for the housing scheme.

The NHDC, the Minister of Housing and the Attorney-General were named as respondents in the suit filed in the Supreme Court last month.

The parish council claimed the lands were being developed without its approval.

It said the area was zoned as a conservation area and the parish council is contending that the development was prone to flooding on adjoining lands.

The parish council referred to the "negative impact the unauthorised development has on adjoining lands, the Ocho Rios area and individual economic activity and property rights, likely to occur during the present hurricane season.".

Seeking an injunction

The parish council was seeking an injunction to stop the development.

Deputy Solicitor General Patrick Foster and attorney-at-law Stephanie Orr argued that an injunction could not be granted against the minister and the Attorney-General and Mr. Patrick Brooks upheld the submissions.

The judge directed the parties to get their technical directors to work out a solution.

When the parties arrived in court yesterday their lawyers informed the court that they were about 80 per cent in finalising an agreement.

The case was then put off until August 30.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com