A conversation on planning applications last week saw MPs strongly suggest that the National Conservation Council’s powers in the process are excessive.
Members of the Finance Committee spoke on Wednesday, 13 Dec., about “the council” and how they believe its oversight of proposals is stunting the development industry.
West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush was particularly vocal in the discussion, saying it is “time to change that council – or we’re going to die”.
An appeals court ruling earlier this year, concluded that the National Conservation Council has the last say on proposals that could damage marine parks or other protected areas.
This adds another step before some applications are approved or rejected as the Central Planning Authority or Development Control Board must refer them for further scrutiny.
The topic rose following the presentation of the budgeted expenditure for the ‘Management of planning applications’ during 2024 and 2025.
Less development
Deputy Opposition leader Joseph Hew asked for the number of planning applications over the past few years, and Eric Bush, chief officer in the Ministry of Planning, responded with the figures.
He said that in 2022, 683 planning applications were reviewed and 463 approved, while in 2023 there have been only 522 applications reviewed so far and 333 have been approved.
McKeeva Bush said: “The big problem that this country has, is that council that they put in place.”
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan asked for clarity on what council he was referring to.
Bush responded: “It is a council that we’ve been having all kinds of problems with, and I just gave you a hint – the one that sues the next department of government.”
He added: “I don’t think I need to elaborate. Every one of us here knows the situation that we are facing as a country. It is not good.”
Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly suggested it is a topic that the minister should bring up later in parliament, and Bush responded that it needs to be addressed seriously in caucus.
He added that has not happened yet as “the people that needed to do the work were the people that put it in place and refused to do anything about it”.
Suggested merger
Also commenting, MP Chris Saunders said a large percentage of planning applications seemed to have to be assessed by the conservation council.
He asked: “Where does the CPA draw the line with regards to that counsel, because it has been impacting development, big time, within the country?”
Saunders also queried if the Central Planning Authority and the National Conservation Council should be merged to “make it more efficient”.
He told members, 15% of Cayman’s workforce is in the construction industry, so the delays are “impacting just about every single member inside there in some way, shape or form”.
Saunders asked what policy, legislation or regulations the government is going to pursue to make the process more efficient.
“This is the red tape and the bureaucracy that a lot of people complain about,” he said.
Planning Minister Jay Ebanks said the conservation council comments on “just about every application that goes into planning”.
He appeared to be referring to the Department of Environment’s pre-meeting analysis of planning applications under delegated authority from the conservation council.
Saunders recommend that the minister “make the necessary changes to the necessary legislation to get it sorted”.
The planning minister asked for his support if any changes come before Parliament.
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