Prime Minister Browne Orders Removal of Unauthorized Fence Blocking Public Beach Access– CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced imminent action against unauthorized fencing blocking public access to Pensions Beach.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne revealed that acres of Crown Land have been improperly claimed by private entities without government permission.
According to Browne, the facility in question is associated with Desmond Charles and Algernon Serpent Watts, who have built on government property without holding any lease or ownership.
The Prime Minister stated, “They have no lease; they have no ownership of the land. So it’s Crown Land.”
Browne highlighted that the unauthorized expansion, led by the individuals leasing the facility, has encroached upon an additional five acres of land.
This expansion includes a fence that obstructs access to a portion of Pensions Beach, a move Browne deemed “totally unacceptable.”
“It’s interesting that those who rightfully criticize others for blocking access to our beaches are now doing the same. That is against the law,” Browne remarked.
He emphasized that the fence violates regulations, which prohibit any barrier within 100 feet of the high-water mark.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
The Development Control Authority (DCA) has already been tasked with addressing the issue. Browne mentioned that the DCA will formally instruct the responsible parties to remove the fence, stating, “If they don’t do so within the requisite time, DCA will go there and push it down because we want that beach to be available to all Antiguans and Barbudans as the law prescribes.”
To ensure public access and recreational opportunities, the government plans to designate part of the land for development while preserving a section as a public beach park.
“We will be making some lots available, probably quarter-acre lots, for Antiguans and Barbudans to develop B&B properties,” Browne explained. “We reserve probably about two acres of land to have a beach park so that people who visit Pensions Beach have a place to recreate and have adequate parking.”
Scroll down to listen to the PM’s Comments from Pointe FM Saturday.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua! We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.Contact us at [email protected]
