Gumbs says government regained 17 hectares for proposed terrestrial park

VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs said on Wednesday 21 October that government has regained about 17 hectares of land in Cul-de-Sac for a proposed terrestrial park. Gumbs said the four parcels, totalling 172,626 square metres and including areas known as Golden Rock and Industry, returned to government control about two months earlier.

According to Gumbs, the land had been under a private long-lease arrangement that limited government’s ability to decide its use. He identified a terrestrial park as the main intended use and said the proposed designation would be incorporated into environmental protection plans.

Gumbs said a 2014 UNESCO drainage study identified the location as one of the most suitable areas for drainage management. He said the ministry will hold consultations with stakeholders on a management structure and long-term protection of the land.

The proposed park designation is also expected to be included in an environmental protection ordinance being developed, Gumbs said, once a first draft of the ordinance is received. He linked the plan to the ministry’s national zoning initiative.