As the longstanding impasse between residents and the landowner of property at Little Bay/Brighton, Westmoreland continues to fester, the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is recommending the Andrew Holness Government use powers under the Local Improvements (Community Amenities) Act to achieve a peaceful and reasonable settlement.

The PNP, in a statement on Wednesday (April 20), argued that the legislation empowers the Housing Minister to declare specified land to be absent orderly development, which thereby freezes all evictions and new tenancies while a development plan for the land is prepared.

This works out favourably for the Holness administration as the housing ministry already falls under the purvey of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

“The PNP believes that the use of this law is the best course of action to quell fears and tensions in the area, and allow for a mediated settlement to be found which reasonably balances the interests of the existing residents and the landowner,” the party statement read.

The Opposition also acknowledged that this approach was first made via an April 11 letter sent to Holness by the lawyers of the affected residents.

“This statutory mechanism should be implemented with urgency, as it enables the Government to lawfully forestall further action to evict the residents, thereby creating the opportunity to mediate a workable way forward that balances the legitimate interests of the contending parties, perhaps involving key agencies such as the National Housing Trust,” noted Opposition Leader Mark Golding.

“It is possible for such a solution to be found, if the Government is proactive in pursuing it. It would be irresponsible and unacceptable for the Government to remain passive amidst the imminent threat of destruction of the long-established homes and businesses of so many families. The Government is elected to protect all citizens of this country, not just the wealthy and connected,” he continued.

The Opposition is calling on Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who oversees the Housing portfolio, to move with haste to forge what it considers a ‘win-win solution’ that the law puts him in the unique position to pursue, and avoid further deterioration of an “already dangerous situation”.

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