Businesses returning to Speightstown

Speightstown is regaining its appeal.

That’s according to Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman. He made the comments while leading off the debate on the resolution to vest land in Speightstown, St. Peter known as Fort Denmark in the state- owned National Housing Corporation (NHC).

Kellman told the Lower House that the vesting is occurring at an opportune time, as major businesses are showing renewed interest in the area. This interest, he said, is likely to result in growth and prosperity for the northern town. In fact, he said if the NHC Board can find a meaningful partner to help develop the land, it would be a good position given the attention already being shown in the area.

“Everybody now wants to have a location in Speightstown… To the best of my knowledge there are only probably about two more buildings to be occupied down there now… and based on the information coming to me there is a demand for these buildings,” he told the Lower House.

Kellman’s also contended that rural Barbados holds the greatest potential for the island and if it can attract the right projects, more persons would be inclined to invest.

“The Board of the NHC would do well to acknowledge what we are giving them and they would do well also to acknowledge that they need to find a partner that can build up this area. It is not only somebody coming and acquiring this land and ignoring that is happening, because in the Physical Development Plan that will soon come to this House and also the one in 2003, mentioned the heritage value of this particular land,” he said.

The Minister, reiterating the NHC’s “need to find the right person” to work with them on the development of the land, said this must be a top priority given some of the challenges the area has.

“…There are some coastal problems down there and if we do not take action quickly there will be no accessibility to this particular piece of land, because of beach erosion,” he warned.