-by David Clarke

Day two of public consultations under the Model Village Initiative saw President Dr. Irfaan Ali lead a team to several East Bank communities.

During his visit to Grove, President Ali explained that the Model Village initiative will include designated areas for businesses that often create noise and other disturbances in residential neighbourhoods.

He acknowledged that due to the extreme demands for housing at the time, many older communities developed without proper land-use planning, leaving businesses operating alongside homes.

“We know, in every community, because of the phases of our development, we did not have the opportunity to have designated areas for a spray painting shop, for a workshop, for tire shops, for mechanic shops.  And that is what the new communities, that is what the new communities must cater for,”

President Ali stressed the importance of protecting families, through the Model Village initiative. As such, one way this can be done is by utilizing zoning. Residents meanwhile welcomed the proposal and overall Model Village initiative.

The consultations form part of the government’s Model Village initiative, with feedback from residents expected to help shape community development plans before they are finalised.