Many applications coming in to construct apartment buildings
More and more persons and entities are seeking to undertake large-scale construction projects and developments in the British Virgin Islands.
This is according to Chief Planner Gregory Adams who appeared before the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) recently.
He told the SFC that for the last three years, the Town & Country Planning Department has seen an upward trend in the number of applications for developments.
Adams further said his department received more than 250 development applications in 2022; noting that Town & Country Planning typically receives 240 applications on an average year.
But not only has there been consistent upward trends in terms of he number of development applications received but also increases in terms of the scope of works for those applications.
“In terms of the type of application, the department continues to receive applications for large developments in addition to many applications for multifamily homes and apartment buildings,” the 2023 SFC Report stated while citing information it received from the Chief Planner.
The Town & Country Planning Department falls under the portfolio of the Premier’s Office and is responsible for ensuring the proper use of land throughout the BVI. Its main function is to ensure the territory is developed in an orderly and sustainable manner and to prepare development plans which will guide the development process throughout the territory.
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Great. Economy is robust What is Government doing to accommodate this growth. ? Have the infrastructure been upgraded/improved ? Sewerage #1 concern. Steady/reliable supply of water ? Reliable/affordable electricity ?
Let’s develop / build our country / territory with Vision and not “ hind sight”
Most useless department in government
Adams and his team are doing an excellent job.
I disagree.
I’m not sure about that one! A toss up between them and statistics office for sure! All these dinosaurs in government management positions need to go!
I suspect that in a good number of cases these buildings go up to launder drug money; as a lot of construction here is a cash business and at the end you have a so-called legitimate asset you can either sell, mortgage or operate a rental business from and use the books of that to justify more financial activity; through which proceeds of crime, in cash, get disguised and washed.
It’s amazing how little probing law enforcement do of proceeds of crime here, when it stares you in the face wherever you look. It could also fill a lot of the black hole in the government’s finances if assets that are proceeds of crime were seized and sold. I wonder why that legislation hasn’t been introduced? It has in many other jurisdictions.
And your point is what really?
IF IT MEANS MORE APARTMENTS AND STILL HIGHER RENT TO PAY, THEN JUST FORGET IT! PLEASE NO EXTORTIONERS!
on all apt. building until all the existing apt. are inspected and have the following:
1) Septic system or sewer connection so waste does NOT flow into the sea or the open road(Road Reef)
2) Adequate parking on the landlord’s property for all tenant vehicles. NO parking in the adjacent street and NO large trucks/taxis anywhere in the area of the apt. building.
3) All pavement, retaining walls and other concrete structures near the apt. building are sound with no cracks, contain adequate steel and adequate footings to survive heavy rainfall intact.
4) No noise from firearms, late night bars, generators, motor vehicles within 1 mile of the apt. building.
Governor can we investigate this department next????????????
I don’t agree with you on this one as that may be the case with local / black ppl but white ppl are moving drugs/ guns through these islands same way So besides fast boats and jewelry shouldn’t these guys put something aside for their kids ? REAL ESTATE is the REAL commodity in the V I only expats / whites should own these things? Which ever BLACK LOCAL have the means to buy/ build I encourage them todo so REGARDLESS where the fund$ come from FOR sure an time land /property is sold to a white man NO black man will ever own that again
if you are related to him you get all the licenses?
is blood money ( @ me again ) so that VIS like inviting the devil into your house , your family will be vthe sacrifice , do you want yo take that risk ( man getting gunned down man disappearing , take a hint
Green with envy.
I can’t say that TCP is doing an excellent job simply because many buildings are being approved with insufficient parking through out Road Town. Most of the buildings are too close to the main road which causes and issue with parking as well as traffic. I would like to think that this issue didnt just pop up out the blue. This is poor planning that started from wayyy back with lack of vision for the future.
It seems like the territory is awash with drug money. A person’s wealth is not scrutinized in the BVI.
As others have pointed out:
1. Where is the money coming from? Will there be a performance bond?
2. There needs to be proper design of retaining walls, parking, roads, water cisterns, septic systems. Consideration of energy efficiency
3. There needs to be verification that the building was constructed as designed.
4. We do not want half finished projects because the money ran out, or because of construction defects, or even because property taxes remain low as long as the building is unfinished.
Items 1-3 won’t happen, leaving us with item 4.
Bulls**t! Based on your philosophy, the bank wouldn’t be selling off a lot of the same properties if it was as easy as you say! Jealousy and hatred should be a crime!
The f#cking bank!!!@
He should not be talking about it, he should be halfway approving them by now,people are struggling to find place to live.
The BVI has some ofthe toughest construction codes on the planet post Irma.
Is enforcement applied to all equally, is the question.
Boy you hit the nail on the head……..
How are these things being finances when even the most open minded banks currently account for only 20% of rental income towards the affordability of a mortgage? Make this make sense please!
Thats down from 70 – 80% just 5 years ago! We need help! why is a picture of prosperity being painted here? How much of these applicants can afford what they’re going to build without drug money?????