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Virgin Gorda Residents shut out from Building-SFC report

- Ninth District Representative Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE raised the issue about Virgin Gorda Residents not being able to build because of pending airport expansion
Many residents who live around the Mine Hill, Windy Hill, Crab Hill and parts of the Copper Mine area on Virgin Gorda have been shut out for years not being able to build their homes or open a business. They were informed that by building they would be interfering with the flight path at the Airport. Photo: VINO/File
The Chief Planner Gregory W. Adams told the SFC that in many cases they were able to find positive resolutions for a number of plans before the Authority. However, he did not disclose to the Committee what the positive resolutions were and if it included the sale of their lands. Photo: VINO/File
The Chief Planner Gregory W. Adams told the SFC that in many cases they were able to find positive resolutions for a number of plans before the Authority. However, he did not disclose to the Committee what the positive resolutions were and if it included the sale of their lands. Photo: VINO/File
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - Many residents who live around the Mine Hill, Windy Hill, Crab Hill and parts of the Copper Mine area on Virgin Gorda have been shut out for years not being able to build their homes or open a business.

This is because they have been informed by the Town and Country Planning Department that their houses would interfere with the flight path of the Virgin Gorda Airport.

This information was unearthed at the 2014 Budget Deliberation in the House of Assembly Standing Finance Committee meeting.

At the time of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meeting the Chief Planner Gregory W. Adams was testifying before the body.

The Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9) asked about a number of persons in the Valley, Virgin Gorda who had land and could not obtain permission to build their houses because they were informed that it would be interfering with the flight path at the Airport.

Hon O’Neal who has represented the 9th district for over 38 years mentioned that a stop order had been placed on areas such as Mine Hill, Windy Hill, part of Copper Mine areas and Crab Hill.

To this the Chief Planner Mr. Adams told the Committee that the Department had been working closely with the BVI Airports Authority and the Premier’s Office to address the issue. Mr. Adams added that they had held meetings with property owners on Virgin Gorda in the middle of 2013 wherein they had identified several properties that were most affected by the existence of the Airport Regulations.

The Chief Planner told the SFC that in many cases they were able to find positive resolutions for a number of plans before the Authority. However, he did not disclose to the Committee what the positive resolutions were and if it included the sale of their lands.

The Dr. Smith Administration has not announced any new plans for the Virgin Gorda Airport located on Taddy Bay. They have announced that they will be extended the runaway for the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and “it’s a done deal”.

Who will fill the Deputy spot at TCP?

After the Government hired a retired United Kingdom national Ronald Beard in the Deputy Chief Planner post his contract came to an end, in May of 2013.

However the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn asked Mr. Adams who was the Deputy, to which Mr. Adams responded he had none.

The Minister then quizzed him about locals who can fill the post. Mr. Adams said there are currently four (4) persons being interviewed and are all locals. However, no time frame was given as to when or if one of the Locals would be appointed to fill the number two spot at the Town and Country Planning Department.               

11 Responses to “Virgin Gorda Residents shut out from Building-SFC report”

  • VG (04/03/2014, 18:05) Like (12) Dislike (12) Reply
    Look how the people suffering under the ndp
  • Airrion (04/03/2014, 18:26) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    If the people cannot build on their land because of air space for the planes, why doesn't Government buy them out so they can live, build houses and businesses. They should be compensated for the loss of the land and they can take it to court to force the Government hand. It is outrages that the main income for the families is being denied by the top dogs. They are NOT looking out for their people at all.
    • True (05/03/2014, 10:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's true but why we acting as if this situation started yesterday? It's years and years in the making even while their rep was the Premier. All of a sudden its urgent?
      • Virgin Gordian (05/03/2014, 12:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        True you are so true, he is who did it to his people, he is also head of town and country planning
        and there asking fart.
  • AC 360 (04/03/2014, 23:29) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hopefully you guys can "buy" these LAND AND AIRPORT BUILDING SHARKS some conscience!
  • mary j (05/03/2014, 07:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just buy the houses
  • pat (05/03/2014, 23:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If Beef Island is a "done deal" after all the expensive bids reported, Will the public ever find out what happened?
    Will we see the revised plans and how they will expand the terminal and perhaps add a hotel and commercial centre? Do we have updated schedules which allow more people to come or are we putting all our eggs in one basket with larger planes? VG also has some environmental issues with extending the runway. There is very active coral at the end, which Conservation and Fisheries used to fight for... What is happening with any teeth they have for ANYTHING?
  • ABC (07/03/2014, 12:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The truth of the matter is, both Tilford and Dr. Smith knew of these restrictions moons ago and should have dealt with the problem head on but choose to remain silent with the hope that it will go away. I am some what dumbfounded by Dr. Smith's unreserved support for the extension of the Beef Island run way. He is not ignorant of the cost of the project and neither is he ignorant of the burden this will place on the Country's finances, given that the Airport is already operating at a considerable loss. He needs to take off the blinders which appear to be obstructing his vision.


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