A religious leader is now threatening legal action against the authorities over the proposed construction of a housing development in San Fernando.
Pundit Rudranath Maharaj told Guardian Media on Monday that while a petition to block construction along the Todd Street parcel of land has already garnered thousands of signatures, it appears as though the project has already been given the green light.
Last week, Maharaj and a group of almost 100 concerned residents, school administrators and business owners issued a statement calling for good sense to prevail and that the proposed Housing Development Corporation development be halted until consultations were commenced and completed.
The group contended that construction of 72 apartment units will decimate one of the last green spaces in the area, as well as contribute to increased traffic and flooding among other issues.
Documents obtained, including a Cabinet note dated September 8, suggest the land has since been transferred to the HDC for the construction of the apartment units.
Guardian Media also received correspondence from the Town and Country Planning Division which suggests an investigation of the area found that use of the land for residential purposes goes against its present planning policy.
However, the policy has since changed after a letter from the Ministry of Education did not object to the parcel of land, wedged between two secondary schools, being used for residential purposes.
Maharaj, who is also lawyer, said after concerns were raised about the location of the housing development, a meeting was held last Thursday with the concerned parties, which included San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello and other officials, over whether or not the project was given the stamp of approval without any consultation.
He explained why he speculated the construction project was given the green light.
“I asked MP Al-Rawi one pointed question, can you give us the assurance that no housing is going there and his response, which I want the whole country to hear, is he looked me straight in the eye and said no I cannot give you the assurance.”
The HDC has confirmed that preliminary works at the site have begun and that it is committed to engaging with stakeholders.
However, Maharaj said it may be too little too late,
“What we are intending to do if consultation and dialogue fails, is we have assembled a legal team and we going to take this matter before the High Court.”
But Al-Rawi fired back yesterday, maintaining that given the ongoing works on the San Fernando Waterfront redevelopment project, it was premature to confirm whether the proposed housing project will get off the ground.
“The most important and urgent position is where we going to run the waterlines that have to run all along Todd Street and straight up Navet and Rushworth Street because there is a major re-laying of water lines for the entire Les Efforts East and West community,” Al-Rawi said.
Al-Rawi said he is committed to full consultation over the proposed development and pledged that decisions will be taken in accordance with the law.