EDITORIAL - Facilitating development in Speightstown
Word is that Speightstown is regaining its appeal and if this should continue, with more businesses setting up shop there, in a few years’ time the vibrancy that this northern town previously boasted will be a major feature again.
Within the last few months there has been much talk about renewed investment in the St. Peter-based business hub, with a number of new businesses opening, including tourism related properties. Also of note is Beaches by Sandals, which is set to break ground this year and be up and running by 2020. While that property is not in the heart of that town, we can still expect even more good fortune for the area in the years to come on account of the business opportunities that it will bring.
But the private sector is not the only one paying interest in Speightstown – this was evident only last month when Government moved to vest Fort Denmark in the state-owned National Housing Corporation (NHC). Speculation is that the cash-strapped NHC will either sell the property and/or enter into a public private sector partnership (PPP) to develop the land. It has been reported that the historic property is worth in the region of $10.5 million, which would certainly provide a significant cash injection for the agency. Whether the property is sold outright or a PPP is created to facilitate its development, we would hope that any work undertaken is done in keeping with the historical and heritage value of the area.
At this time we wish also to take note of the suggestion made by Former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for St. Peter, Owen Arthur, that given its location, Fort Denmark could be another ideal point to welcome cruise ships to the island. Projections were that we would have welcomed in the region of 825 000 cruise passengers in 2017, close to 100 000 more than came in 2016, and the goal is to reach one million by 2019. Now, if our cruise industry continues to grow as it currently is, we can take some of the pressure off the Bridgetown Port by allowing some of the smaller cruise vessels to berth in Speightstown. There would be many benefits for Barbados should that be done, as it would provide the cruise passengers who come here for one day to experience another aspect of our culture, and it would provide businesses in that area with additional potential customers to help ensure their viability. That means more money for them and by extension more money for the Government.
However, it is our view that any development whatsoever that takes place in Speightstown, must take advantage of its historical appeal, as heritage and cultural tourism is a growing niche in the tourism sector, and one which should not be ignored. Should development in that town not take those factors into consideration, we run the risk of Speightstown losing its charm and historical character. It is therefore hoped that the recommendations made in previous and the pending Physical Development Plan for Barbados, in which it speaks specifically to Speightstown, is properly utilised. Equally important is that greater use is made also of the Special Development Areas Act.
To date that piece of legislation – which makes provision for various concessions to be approved for developers desirous of establishing in Carlisle Bay, St. Lawrence Gap, the Scotland District and Speightstown, hotels, heritage and natural environment tourism projects, residential complexes and commercial buildings – has been under-utilised.
We therefore hope that the renewed interest being shown in Speightstown will also see that Act being better used, in order to facilitate greater growth and development of the area.