Planning Board should strike a balance, says James

With the jobs of 26 persons on the line, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and Unity Labour Party (ULP) politician Carlos James said on Sunday that there is a need for compromise and to strike a balance.

James was speaking in reference to the Ministry of Physical Planning and the Physical Planning and Development Board ordering the Chill Spot Bar and Grill in Arnos Vale to cease operations.{{more}}

Chill Spot, owned and operated by Garth Lance Oliver, has been given 14 days, from September 2, to cease operations. In a letter dated August 31, the Ministry of Physical Planning said that the Physical Planning and Development Board, in a meeting on August 17, did not find any reasons given by Oliver why he could not close the business to be satisfactory.

James vented his feelings on the issue on Sunday with a Facebook post.

Said James: “While I understand there were several breaches of the Town and Country Planning Act by the owners of Chill Spot Bar and Grill in their operation, I believe good sense must prevail…we must learn to strike a balance”.

The ULP’s North Leeward representative said that instead of closing down the restaurant and bar, the Ministry of Planning could, among other things, demand in writing that the business comply with certain requirements, as set out in the enforcement notice(s) and mediate between the business community and the residents to map out a suitable arrangement that is beneficial to the respective parties.

“To completely order the closure of a business employing 26 persons is just plain stupid,” stressed James on Facebook.

The Chill Spot issue has generated a great amount of debate on talk shows and social media, with the majority of persons thinking that the Ministry of Physical Planning should find another way to rectify the problem.

Ariston Dennie, a farmer from North Leeward, commented on the issue: “The idea to create such a business was a good one to create employment and enhance entertainment life in this country. Given the economic challenges facing this country and mass unemployment, this move is a clear indication that those in authority are not thinking clearly. A more amicable outcome is needed”.

Another farmer, Lennox Lampkin commented: “This seems like the way we roll these days in SVG. I agree with Ariston as we are all aware of the miserable economic circumstances in this country as we speak! Closing businesses seem to have taken on a special role and we ought to be worried at the signal this sends particularly to indigenous enterprises, investors and potential investors”.

But while most persons see the closing of yet another business place as a huge problem, a few people have proven to be sticklers for certain aspects of the Town and Country Planning Act and have called for the business to close.

Someone on Facebook, going by the name Gittens-Gilkes Audrey, commented: “I am recommending that we get the facts whatever they may be. The folks at the Physical Planning department do not just walk in and close down. They take all of those things, employment etc, etc into consideration. If we get all the pieces it may look a little clearer either way”.

Meanwhile, the business was expected to cease operations on Thursday, September 15.