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Gore Developments Limited plans to construct 700 homes under phase two of its Coral Springs Village housing project in Trelawny, but the development faces hurdles from heritage and tourism agencies.
The key issues revolve around archaeological artefacts, informal vending, and beach access – challenges that could shape the future of the project. The company plans to balance the development with environmental responsibility, according to its environmental impact assessment report prepared by Environmental Solutions Limited on behalf of Gore. As part of its concessions, Gore has pledged to double the green spaces initially planned in the development.
“The proposed development aims to provide affordable housing for approximately 700 residents, while incorporating sustainability measures,” the environmental report stated. “This approach balances housing needs with environmental sensitivity.”
The project aims to supply middle-class housing that’s in demand on Jamaica’s growing north coast. In phase one, Coral Springs Village provided 517 homes in 2016 to serve the growing population. With the continued expansion, concerns about managing both historical preservation and informal commercial activity remain.
The area contains significant Taino and colonial relics, and also remnants of a historical wharf and a castle.
Gore Developments is a family business chaired by Phillip Gore and led by Christopher Gore as managing director, with Wendy Gore as the sales and marketing manager.
“The trust states that an archaeological assessment is required prior to construction,” the environmental report stated, referring to stipulations by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.
Further complicating the project is the concern expressed by Tourism Product Development Company, TPDCo, regarding informal economic activities near the adjacent Ocean Coral Spring Hotel, a five-star resort with 513 rooms.
TPDCo warns that the residential development could fuel more unregulated restaurants and vending along the beachfront, posing public health and safety risks for hotel guests.
“Their current concern relates to informal economic activities which take place on the beachfront beside the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel,” the report noted.
The site shares a northeastern boundary with the Ocean Coral Spring. The hotel’s management has not objected to the project, but reportedly wants to protect beach access, a contentious issue with local vendors.
“There is informal economic activity taking place on the strip of beach adjacent to the hotel property. It is to be clarified who has ownership of the property; however, access is obtained via the proposed development site,” stated the environmental report in relation to the hotel’s concerns. “The informal economic activities have public health implications and are considered a threat to the safety and security of the hotel’s guests and needs to be formally addressed.”
Another state agency, the Social Development Commission, favoured the Gore project.
“The expansion in residences would drive employment of persons from nearby communities, during and post-construction,” the report said of SDC’s take on the development, which underscored the potential economic benefits.
In a survey regarding receptivity of the project, more than two-thirds of residents and community stakeholders welcomed the development. Nine per cent were concerned about the removal of trees and virgin hills in the Mountain Spring Protected Area as part of the development.
The cost of the project was not stated in the report. Gore Developments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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