Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

( L - R ) Chambers, Haye

WESTERN BUREAU:

The long-term development of Hanover is being restricted because stakeholders are yet to prepare a plan to be used as the comprehensive 'road map' for the western parish.

"The parish development plan has been talked about from as long as 2002 and has not materialised the way it should," said Angela Haye, president of the Hanover Parish Development Committee (PDC).

"The processes that we have in place take too long to be done."

Haye was speaking at a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the Hanover Parish Council in Lucea yesterday.

She said part of the problem was the lack of communication between the entities involved in the PDC.

Parish-wide focus

The committee comprises the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, the parish council, representatives of ministries and departments in Hanover, and non-governmental organisations with parish-wide focus.

Hanover has been able to attract tourism investment with the completion of the 1,600-room Grand Palladium Resort at Point and the proposed Dolphin Cove Marine Park.

But, Haye said it is critical that the parish is not developed in a haphazard manner.

President of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, Theo Chambers, agreed with Haye.

He suggested that a deadline be set for the completion of the development plan.

Set timelines

"We have to set timelines on when these studies are to be completed and submitted to a panel of stakeholders involved in developing the plan," he said.

The Editors' Forum was held to highlight the issues affecting Hanover, one of Jamaica's smallest parishes.