By Lynford Simpson, Staff ReporterAN OUT-OF-COURT settlement is being brokered between the Attorney-General's Department, the Ministry of Mining and Energy and Lydford Mines in relation to a controversial housing project near Orange Grove, Islington, St. Ann.
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that the Government had granted a lease to the operators to mine the bauxite-rich lands, which is also rich in limestone deposits.
However, the Ministry of Water and Housing subsequently entered into a joint venture agreement with Consortium Construction Limited (CCL) to undertake a housing development on the said property.
The management of Lydford Mines objected and filed an injunction in the Supreme Court barring CCL from pursuing "further development on the site". The construction company had reportedly done basic infrastructure work on the property.
Following the injunction, an investigation was conducted by a committee made up of representatives of the Ministries of Land and Environment, Mining and Energy, and Water and Housing and it was decided that the housing development would be abandoned.
"The ministries looked at it and acknowledged that the land has valuable limestone. We are not going to be pursuing any further development there," Christopher Castriota, Director of Community Relations at the Water and Housing Ministry told The Gleaner.
He said those persons who had made deposits will have the option of being reimbursed or accepting a housing unit in one of two developments taking place in close proximity to the Islington lands.
Lesline Davis of CCL refused to answer questions posed by The Gleaner, although she had promised to do so. She expressed surprise when told the Water and Housing Ministry had issued a statement on the matter.
A source close to the project said the company had sought to proceed with the development, forcing Lydford Mines to get a court injunction. Efforts to reach the management of Lydford Mines on the weekend were unsuccessful.
According to The Gleaner source, the out-of-court settlement is likely to see the Mining and Energy Ministry and CCL restoring the land to its original state to prevent the likelihood of squatters invading the property.
In a press release issued last week, the Water and Housing Ministry said it was currently assessing the status of the project. It said it had been determined that the project "cannot proceed" following the investigation conducted by the three ministries.
"The public is advised that in the interim, no further deposits or payments should be made in respect of this project. Each depositor will be advised by letter of the status of this matter ...," the release said.
