Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer

LUCEA, Hanover:

The Hanover Parish Council will be channelling $10 million towards the preparation of a sustainable development plan for the parish.

According to Mayor of Lucea Lloyd Hill, the funds will be acquired from the Hanover Parish Council's building fees. He said the council was now seeking ratification from the local government department in the office of the Prime Minister.

Hill, who is also chairman of the parish council, said the local authority's commitment was in response to a proposal made by the Social Development Commission that that organisation spearhead the preparation of the plan, which will cost $20 million.

"For future planning and development, it is necessary for us as a council to have a formal parish development plan established," Hill told The Gleaner. "We have had a commitment of $10 million from the National Housing Trust, and we have matched that figure from our building fees."

Hill said the parish council would ensure that discussions with other stakeholders such as the Hanover Parish Development Committee were under way to address the concerns of a wide spectrum of citizens.

Haphazard development

The mayor said the plan would prevent haphazard development and would ensure better protection of the natural environment.

"It is very important, in that when we have an overall plan, we know what it is that we should approve, what we can accommodate, and what we need to refuse, re-examine or redirect, so there is no conflict in terms of how we develop.

"Furthermore, in terms of external developers, they want to know that before they enter into the parish to do any form of development, a parish plan is in place," he said.