Chelston ‘storeroom’ still standing

An ultimatum has been issued to whomever lays claim to #31 Chelston Gardens as the derelict property remains standing in the wake of warnings from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). After affected residents have been asking questions and agitating for years to have something done with the lot that stands in the middle of the small St. Michael district, the first intention of action has borne no fruit.

With the property featured in The Barbados Advocate back in early February of this year as residents pleaded for some assistance, appeals to the parliamentary representative of the area and the EPD seem to have been heard as a notice was posted outside the property. Citing Section 11 (1) of the Health Services Act, the notice read that the property needed to be demolished 'in the interest of Public Health and Safety', within 42 days of the May 14th, 2021 posting as it was had collapsed ceilings, overgrown vegetation, structural cracks and termite-infested rafters among several other issues which put it in contravention of various Health Services Regulations.

However, residents affected by the dangers posed by Lot 634 got a false sense of satisfaction as the correspondence called on the owner of the property to rectify the situation as opposed to the authorities demolishing the building. Having fallen into ruin since the last occupant died over ten years ago, the property has never been seen to by anyone as the building reportedly sits on government land.

Dubbed the ‘storeroom’ as several residents in the area use it to dump their unwanted items such as discarded electronics and beds as well as other degradable refuse, the property continues to be a home for rodents with additional waste being generated and dumped after the ashfall from La Soufriere and Hurricane Elsa. With hurricane season upon us, several rusted galvanise roof sheets have also begun to show their potential danger.

July is about to wrap up, but still no action taken as there are no known owners of the building and residents are wondering what kind of limbo that leaves them in as the government of Barbados is the reportedly the owner of the land. However, the end of the notice seeks to inform the owner that should 42 days pass the posting of the correspondence without any action, the government would be forced to undertake the demolition for them. “Under the provision of the Act, you are advised that if the said works are not executed within the period specified, the Minister may cause the works to be carried out and recover reasonable costs carrying out the same as a debt due to the Crown”, it read.