Govt to review plan on commercial expansion

Robinson-Regis was speaking at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce monthly breakfast meeting on “Town and Country: The Planning and Approval Process” at the Chamber building in Westmoorings.

The minister described the review as “specific and urgent,” saying there are many new developments in these areas, particularly the construction of a campus of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) at Wallerfield.

The committee was formed to ensure proper land use and settlement strategies were being used in compliance with the orderly development of Trinidad and Tobago stipulated by the Trinidad and Tobago Small Buildings Code.

Robinson-Regis noted that many businesses have neglected to follow regulations of the code and cited the examples of the illegal cell towers being erected by TSTT and Digicel. However, the ministry is dealing with these situations as enforcement notices against 16 sites have been issued and destruction of the sites are expected soon, she said.

According to Robinson-Regis, the ministry has also undertaken rural development projects with the development of East Port-of-Spain as its first move in this direction. The concept of a trade centre at the Port-of-Spain waterfront is also being contemplated.

Robinson-Regis said this is all in keeping with the development of sound infrastructure and the nurturing of the environment, one of five missions to be achieved by the Government’s Vision 2020 plan.

The morning’s proceedings were officiated by Chamber president Ian Welch, who said it was held “to improve the synergy between the business community and the agencies responsible for development approvals — namely the ministry, Town and Country Division and the Environmental Management Authority.”

Acting Town and Country Planning director Sheryl-Ann Haynes and Vidjaya Ramkhalawan, the EMA’s Environment Programme Co-ordinator, also made presentations on the approval process and challenges for development and the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC).