The Government has taken proactive measures to safeguard Vale Royal, initiating temporary protective works to prevent further deterioration while it assesses proposals for future use of the property.

The Vale Royal property has roots tracing back over 300 years and was once designated as the official residence of the prime minister.

Over time its grandeur has faded and the neglected property is now riddled with structural deficiencies making it unfit for occupancy.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said a 2013 assessment found that at its then current state, routine repair work is insufficient, and extensive rehabilitation is required to restore Vale Royal.

“A team from The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) recently conducted a site inspection and will be submitting a report for assessment,” said the OPM.

The JNHT has proposed that the facility be repurposed to include a library and museum that would be a repository of documents and memorabilia of all Prime Ministers of Jamaica