FOR MONTHS, BEACH IN LIMBO AFTER LEASE ENDS
What’s to be done with Priory Beach, or Fantasy Beach, at Priory, St Ann?
This is one of the better public beaches in St Ann. However, for months now it has been in a state of limbo.
The St Ann Municipal Corporation owns the beach. Hundreds of people use it every week and private parties are also held there.
The last lease ended somewhat in a fog, and several buildings on the beach were knocked down. There have been reports of several people clamouring to get the lease.
In the last several meetings of the Municipal Corporation, nothing definitive has been said either, except that they await instructions from the Ministry of Local Government on plans for its development.
(PM announcing US$2 million development)
At the first meeting of the new council the CEO, Jennifer Brown Cunningham said there was nothing new and communication or correspondence was being awaited from the Ministry of Local Government. According to the Minutes presented at that meeting on Thursday, March 14, here is what was written under the heading “Lease of Land at Priory Beach“:
“The chief executive officer (CEO) advised that discussions were being undertaken relative to the captioned matter but that there was nothing new to report ; [and requested] that same be removed from the minutes until there was further development. Agreed.”
However, On Thursday, March 21, Prime Minister Andrew Holness identified a further development. He was speaking during the Budget debate and taking on the matter of access to beaches.
Mr Holness said the Government is investing US$2 million in the development of the Fantasy Beach Park in Priory, St. Ann.
The project will be undertaken over the next 18 months, through support from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and will be similar in scope to the Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay.
As the North Coast Times reported on its YouTube Channel (Newscast #43) there has been no communication locally and no consultation on the Fantasy Beach at Priory, near St Ann’s Bay.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LOOKED AT THE NORTH COAST TIMES YOUTUBE CHANNEL? CHECK IT NOW!
North Coast Times can report that this is not the first time plans have been announced for the development of Fantasy Beach.
Here is a part of a story written and published by JIS weeks after another development was announced in 2022, nearly two years ago
(Named as agency to develop the beach 2 years ago)
“Residents of Priory, St. Ann, can view and provide feedback on the draft design for the development of the Priory (Fantasy) Beach, at a town hall meeting scheduled for Sunday, August 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., at the facility.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, will deliver the main address. Member of Parliament for St. Ann North Eastern, Hon. Marsha Smith; Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Sydney Stewart and other senior officials are expected to be in attendance.
The Priory Beach is among those being developed across Jamaica under the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Beaches Development Programme.” Etc.
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