The Tracking Station area in Chaguaramas is zoned as a Nature Reserve and building a hotel there is illegal. This is the law of Trinidad & Tobago. The Chaguaramas Development Plan of 1974 is the only valid land use plan for the area administered under the Chaguaramas Development Authority Act.
The Chaguramas Development Plan of 1974 has zoned all highland areas in the Chaguaramas Peninsula above the 350 feet contour and the entire area of Point Gourde as a Nature Reserve. It does this to preserve the scenic quality of the area and the valuable flora and fauna and to preserve the slopes from erosion.
The highland hills are made of schist, which is prone to erosion. This means that the highlands are unsuitable for any intense development hence the need to protect the forest.
The Chaguaramas Development Plan of 1974 states that the highland area to the west of Tucker Valley above 350 feet contour is to be declared and developed as a National Park for the recreational benefit of the peoples of Trinidad and Tobago.
It goes on to state that only development which is compatible with the development of forestry and the use of these areas for recreational purposes such as hiking trails, picnic spots and small rest-stations will be allowed here. This is the law of Trinidad & Tobago.
Planning and Development Minister Robinson-Regis recently declared several leases issued by the former PP appointed board illegal. She said that the waterpark is built "in an area where according to the law, it should not be."
It is remarkable that so soon after the Minister's statements the CDA board repeats the mistake and announces another illegal development. The Minister must speak out on this and make the CDA board act in accordance with the laws of T&T.
The CDA Chairman said in a newspaper report that he would have a change of heart if the EMA does not give a Certificate of Environmental Clearance. This is irrelevant as development there is illegal.
Under section 3 of the Town and Country Planning (Chaguaramas) Development Order (that being an order found in the Town and Country Planning Act Chap 35:01), the Minister may withhold her permission for proposed developments indicated in the Development Plan if she is satisfied that they should not be undertaken.
The Minister must approve the construction of buildings in areas allocated as National Parks and Nature Reserves prior to them being built.There are many different areas in Chaguaramas where the Chaguaramas Development Plan of 1974 allows the construction of hotels.
Here's a short rundown of what the 1974 plan allows. You may like some of it; some other parts will probably worry you. At this point, all that is important is that we understand that this is the law of T&T and that, again, this is the only legal land use plan for Chaguaramas.
Scotland Bay is described as an area that is zoned for Resort Residential purposes, which means hotels and housing. This may come as a surprise to the many boaters and campers who use this area, but it is what the law at present states.Chaguaramas Bay is zoned for industry, a commercial center and housing.
Point Gourde is zoned as a nature reserve, but worryingly the 1974 plan allows mining of the limestone deposits there.Carenage Bay, location of the boardwalk and military museum etcetera, is zoned for hotels, sea bathing, social and recreational facilities, general and in-bond shopping, light clean industries for the tourism trade.
Tucker Valley is Class I (best) agricultural soil and it sits on top of an aquifer. For this reason the 1974 plan zones Tucker Valley for general agriculture.This did not stop the former board from awarding 40 acres to a private individual for a zoo. The area now looks like a prison.
Of course there was never a sign stating what was being constructed there, and there still isn't a sign today.
It is as if leaseholder doesn't want anybody to know what is going on. I hope the Minister does not reward bad behaviour. She must act in accordance with the laws of T&T and remove those illegally placed fences and cages. She has the power to do so.
Macqueripe is zoned for Resort Residential development with resort homes, high and medium density housing, 18 hole golf course, medium sized hotels, restaurant and recreational facilities.Chacachacare is also zoned for a Resort Residential development with a marina and restaurants.
The Chaguaramas Development Plan of 1974 is a mixed bag. It is easy to see how areas where housing and industry are allowed, run the risk of becoming another Diego Martin.
Hotels and recreational facilities that are built in the wrong place can destroy Chaguaramas as the green space that we know today.
There is a Community that uses Chaguaramas. These are the tens of thousands of people who regularly go Down the Islands, run or cycle the trails of Chaguaramas, snorkel at Macqueripe, marvel at the Red Howler Monkeys, hike to the Tracking Station, use the beaches or just come to relax in a safe, green area with the kids. This is my community.
Our community must organise itself and learn about the CDA Act and the Chaguaramas Development Plan of 1974 so that we know how to stop illegal development and how to make sure that Chaguaramas is developed with our community in mind.
The Chaguaramas Development Plan can be amended by a cabinet decision and a vote in parliament.When it is amended, the community must exercise its right to its green space.
If we don't take responsibility for our green space, one day we'll be sitting around complaining about the 'better' days of Chaguaramas and placing blame in every corner we can.