New NEPA provisional orders to 'bring order'

THE FOUR new Provisional Development Orders recently promulgated by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) on behalf of the Town and Country Planning Authority (TCPA) have addressed many of the challenges faced by residents and commuters within the island's urban centres.

The Provisional Orders, which cover the parishes of Portland, Manchester, Trelawny and the Negril and Green Island area, outline policies that address issues related to parking, public transportation facilities and the issues of urban sprawl.

The Development Orders, which were published and promulgated by the TCPA in October 2013, also address encroachment in ecologically sensitive areas, waste treatment and management, conflicting land uses (residential/commercial use) and ease of access within the areas.

Speaking at a meeting of the Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ), Dione Chambers, senior physical planner at NEPA, said the new orders give a number of recommendations on how development in the areas can be streamlined to promote efficiency, reduce congestion, enhance the character of communities, and support vibrant local economies.

BRINGING ORDER

"The intention is to bring order to the development in the areas. Some of the concerns addressed in the orders cover traffic congestion, limited carriageway, absence of sideways, inadequate drains and poor drainage network," she informed.

The orders also give consideration to the need for adequate housing to satisfy a growing population; access to open and recreational spaces; and the encouragement of rainwater harvesting for new developments.

Comments on the Develop-ment Orders should be addressed to Robert Collie, secretary of the Town and Country Planning Authority, and delivered at any of NEPA's offices islandwide, or by e-mail to robert.collie@nepa.gov.jm or by fax at 876-733-9183. Comments should be submitted by February 21.