Campbell wants court order for inviolable use of communal properties
Published:Tuesday | December 26, 2023 | 12:06 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
Portmore Deputy Mayor Alrick Campbell wants the Portmore Municipal Corporation to seek a declaration from the Supreme Court to ensure that properties initially designated for community use in the municipality remain dedicated to that purpose.
Campbell cited what he said was one property in dispute – a fenced plot that he claimed was a leftover from the West Bay Development near the former Forum Hotel. He said it was once owned by the Portmore Land Development Company, but is now in private hands despite being earmarked for community use.
“The title has this property as slated for community use, so when we saw it fenced, the municipal council wrote to the Portmore Land Development Company, who was the titled owner, and they responded to say they no longer own the property,” Campbell disclosed.
Notably, the Portmore Land Development Company was an escrow entity used by the Government at the time to develop the housing stock in Portmore. The entity is now owned by a major housing development company.
Potential buyers
According to Campbell, the municipal corporation was directed to the new owner of the land, who confirmed ownership.
He stressed the need for a court declaration covering all such properties, cautioning potential buyers to check land use stipulations.
“I am saying that by virtue of the previous arrangement, when the community of Edgewater was being established, that this particular piece of land be reserved for community use only. I would like the municipal [corporation] to seek a declaration from the Supreme Court to establish that the property is for community use and anyone who owns it does so as a trustee for the entire community,” Campbell advocated.
He added: “I want this to be a warning to all who intend to purchase property in Portmore designated for community use to be mindful of the use stipulation on the title; hence, they run the risk of being a trustee on behalf of the community where the land is located.”
The deputy mayor noted that he wants the declaration to include all other properties in the municipality that were slated for community use when Portmore was developed.
In response to Campbell’s plea, Portmore Mayor Leon Thomas has affirmed that the corporation will not endorse any development seeking to alter the original intended use of designated lands.
Thomas emphasised his commitment to upholding the specified community use laid out in the titles. He signalled that he would take a stance against permits that seek changes in land use.
The disputed plot identified by Campbell features a canal leading to Dawkins Pond, ultimately connecting to the sea.