Government to settle land issue near VG Airport
BVI News senior reporter - Thursday, December 27th, 2012 at 7:58 AM
TB Lettsome International Airport
The government said it has taken steps to speedily address the plight of several residents whose construction plans have been stalled because of their close proximity to the Virgin Gorda Airport.
Premier Dr. D. Orlando told the House of Assembly that a survey will soon be completed to determine whether any of the private developments can get off the ground.
“Many people have land around the airport hoping to develop and they have been told that they cannot develop those lands at this time based on the map,” Premier Smith said in response to concerns raised by Opposition Leader and representative of the Ninth District, Ralph T. O’Neal.
The premier stated that, after discussions with the BVI Airport Authority and the Town and Country Planning Department, it was decided that the new survey should be conducted.
He told the House: “Madam Speaker, I myself have looked at the area and have some questions about what is actually happening because I notice for example lands on the other side of the hill are also out of bounds. And so I’ve had some discussions Madam Speaker with the relevant agencies, and we have determined Madam Speaker that a new survey should be done to finally define what lands should be out of bounds, what lands could developed, what land people want that could be used to build houses and whatever.”
While not giving an exact date for the completion of the new survey which he said was agreed on several months ago, Premier Smith said it will be soon. “I am hoping that we should have an answer very soon so that those folk who bought land – or those folk who’ve sold land for development, could see that development does happen, or if it can’t happen, then they would know that they can’t do development in that area.”
Premier Smith continued: “We know very well Madam Speaker that there was a problem couple years ago, and we do not want such a problem to recur again because then it will result in the airport being closed again which would not be good for the people of Virgin Gorda…. The Virgin Gorda Airport is now open and I would also say that it will be receiving increasing flights starting in January.”
In January 2010, Air Safety Support International (ASSI) ordered the closure of the airport, stating that the facility’s Aerodrome Certificate was no longer valid because the BVI Airport Authority had not maintained compliance with all the safety conditions of the certificate.
The state-owned airport was reopened following rehabilitation works.
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13 Comments
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E. Leonard mentioned clear zones and accident potential zones as needs that imposed land use restrictions around airports. Nonetheless, lets add another term AICUZ (air installation compatible use zones).
Its a process that is used by the US military to construct and manage airfields. But this process can also be used by civilian agencies. The bottomline is that whether they are airfields or airports they will restrict land use around them. They posed restrictions on the height of facilities, type of facilities, facility density, type of activity within the AICUZ….etc.
There is no difference between keeping that Airport open and playing Russian roulette. It meets no standards and was purchased for $6 million becaused it was politically expedient to do so. I can think of few instances where safety is cast aside to accommodate political interest. I trust that it would not take another fatal accident to bring us to our right senses.
“Another” fatal accident? When was there a fatal accident at this airport? When was there a serious accident in the nearly 50 years since it opened? In fact, in nearly 50 years of operation, has there ever been an accident from which everyone involved did not walk away?
Seems to me this airport has one of the best safety records around, inspite of whatever political expedience.
Not sure what your angle is, but stop the false fear-mongering.
Why don’t you hush your back side if you don’t know what you are talking about.Where have you been hiibernating for the past fifty years?
There have been only one fatal accident at virgin gorda airport since it was opened so #the Pilot# u need to hush your backside. I agree with u that government do put certain things aside for political gain but VG airport have a safety record to rival any airport around and if u are truely a pilot u should know that. # fake A**#
There have been only one fatal accident at virgin gorda airport since it was opened so #the Pilot# u need to hush your backside. I agree with u that government do put certain things aside for political gain but VG airport have a safety record to rival any airport around and if u are truely a pilot u should know that. # fake A**#
Since it is obvious that the only thing you can fly is a kite and your knowledge in the field of aviation rivals that of Donald Duck I will permit you to slumber in your ignorance.
Clearly, an airport on VG, Anegada, Tortola or any other island will entail some land use restriction for the operational safety of the airport, as well as to protect the health and safety of air crews, passengers, along with real and personal property.
The area surrounding an airport is exposed to potential accidents even with well-maintained and highly trained pilots. Aircraft accidents are high consequence events with potential cartastrophic results.
Consequently, clear zones (areas at both ends of runway) and accident potential zones(APZ) are required to provide the margin of safety needed to protect life and property with both landing and takeoff operations.
Further, the land restriction may prohibit reasonable economic use;condemnation of land may be necessary. As such property owners may need to be compensated for the restricted use of their land with perhaps first reversion rights if airport is abandoned in the future. The bottom line is that if the community needs an airport any where there will be land use restriction. And in a small locale this can be a major and controversial iss
Fully support the balance you tried to strike. However, its an indictment on the state to have so many people waiting in limbo for years. In my book, until the government compensate or relocate the residents, they have all right to their properties around the airport.
God bless VIP people? There is a lot of things that should have been done in Virgin Gorda that still have not taken place! Poor VG!
Two evils if you ask me. NDP/VIP only bring about more suffering for the masses
god bless the vip government for the savior of the vg airport
Thanks to Ralph for putting this burden on his people. He obviously had no concern for the people effected. He basically declare the all of the valley, no build zone.
He baltently made no attempts to define the
area to be zoned.
It is so bad that there are areas that you cant see the airport and cant build. Very sad
for leadership.
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