The Government have begun work on preparing a new National Physical Development Plan (PDP) for the north of Montserrat to cover the period 2011 to 2020. The PDP is a land-use plan that provides a road map for the development of Montserrat, addressing issues such as pressure on land, limited resources and infrastructure development. In one way or another everyone on the island will be affected by the content of this plan – it sets out what development needs to happen and where it should go.
A small DFID funded team are working closely with the Chief Physical Planner and the Physical Planning Unit (at Brades) to develop the plan in line with the Montserrat “Vision 2020” and the national Sustainable Development Plan (2008 – 2020). Each member of the team brings a different set of skills. The team are led by an experienced infrastructure engineer and planner, Mr John Cox and supported by Andreas Beavor (land use planner); James Whittle (environmental and social specialist) and Vidya Naidu (public awareness and consultation specialist).
‘Appropriate Development in Appropriate Places’
The PDP provides a framework to help deliver the goals of the SDP. It seeks a balance between promoting residential and commercial growth in Montserrat while making sure that environmental resources are protected and the risks of disaster, such as hurricanes, are minimised. It will look to reduce tensions between different land uses – for example between areas for housing development and areas for small-scale industry – and once the scenarios for future development are identified, the necessary infrastructure can then be planned. It will also help wider government initiatives such as providing facilities for Montserratians to live a healthy lifestyle and accommodating social housing for the vulnerable.
What has the team done so far?
Work to date has focussed on mapping and analysing the existing situation – looking at land use, social and demographic trends, community and environmental issues, vulnerability to disaster and climate change and assessing the current state of the island’s infrastructure. The team are now considering possible scenarios for Montserrat’s future, including population growth targets, economic development, and the infrastructure required to facilitate these initiatives. Updated zoning maps and supporting policies will then describe how future development activities and infrastructure can be best accommodated within the available land area.
Getting your community involved
It is vital that the PDP captures the needs and priorities of the people of Montserrat. What matters? What issues should the plan consider? A community meeting will be held in each of the main villages during early July to find out and to hear what people have to say about proposed ideas. Please come along to your local meeting. The dates and times for the meetings are advertised below.
Project timeline and consultations
The PDP project began in March and will continue until February 2012 with the first draft to be prepared for the end of August 2011. Preparing the PDP is a collaborative process; it involves working closely with all government departments as well the private sector, special interest groups, non-governmental organisations and the public. The proposed plans and ideas will be subject to public consultation during October and November later this year. Feedback from the consultation period will be incorporated into the final version of the PDP 2011-2020.
Schedule for Local Area Consultation Meetings
| Community Area | Date of Meeting | Time | Venue |
| Lookout | Tuesday 12th July | 5:30pm | Lookout Community Centre |
| St Peters (Including Virgin Island and Providence) | Thursday 14th July | 7:00pm | St Peter’s Rectory |
| Davy Hill/Little Bay | Sunday 17th July | 4:00pm | Davy Hill Supermarket |
| St John’s (Including Dick Hill and Mongo Hill) | Tuesday 19th July | 7:00pm | Lord Heil’s Bar (below Afan’s Chinese Restaurant) |
| Brades (Including Cudjoe Head, Manjack, Nixon’s Banks) | Wednesday 20th July | 6:00pm | Brades Community Arts and Learning Centre |
| Salem (Including Frith, Flemming, Happy Hill) | Thursday 21st July | 7:00pm | Salem Primary School |
| Drummonds / Geralds | Sunday 24th July | 4:00pm | Defence Force Barracks |
