The Public Lands Commission says fishermen from the George Town Waterfront Fish Market would possibly be allowed to continue operating at the site, despite the site owner’s lengthy efforts to remove them and turn the site into a “park-like” area.
The factor is expected to return to the Central Planning Authority this week, when homeowners Chris Johnson and his son Robert will resubmit an application to build stairs and a ramp at the Red Spot Beach site.
Twice last year, the planning board deferred its resolution on the application for a variety of reasons, in addition to obtaining information from the Public Lands Board about fishermen’s rights to occupy land and the public’s right-of-way.
According to the schedule for the next meeting, the Public Lands Board stated, “The fishermen. . . who have long used Red Spot’s assets for many generations have acquired primary ownership in accordance with Section 28 of the Registered Land Act (2018 Revision). . “
The commission also pointed out that there is an “impregnable” right of way in the place, which “cannot be annulled, annulled or annulled by anyone, the Court added”.
He continues: “The proposed beautification paints at Red Spot will have to be designed in a way that does not interfere with the rights of way and the more productive interests of fishermen. “
Fishermen who have used the for decades said they didn’t need to move, prompting the Johnsons to file a lawsuit to evict the fishermen.
The Public Lands Commission asked that the application be postponed until the Johnsons could demonstrate to the Commission that the planned beautification of the site “would not interfere with the rights of way or the more productive interests of fishermen. “
The Johnsons, who claim to have owned the site since 1973, issued a news release Friday ahead of the July 3 hearing on the application, saying their goal is to replace the site as part of the government’s ongoing beautification project in George Town.
“The planning request includes a proposal for a ramp as well as planters and seating with the overall purpose of transforming this beautiful popular park into a park for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike. The busy downtown of George Town has an ancient and cultural significance that is recognized in the candidacy,” the Johnsons said in the statement.
They added: “Red Spot is the only public use beach between the city and 7 miles and since the installation of the sidewalk, it is noticeably more frequented by cruise ship passengers who use it for swimming and sunbathing. Although this scheduling app has a limited scope, it addresses various disorders with its design.
The request was postponed through the plan-making committee twice last year. It was first deferred in August 2023 so that only the Johnsons would be asked to “explain the proposal related to the relocation of the existing fish sales area” and download the Department’s comments. of Tourism and the Public Lands Commission.
It was postponed again in November for a number of reasons, in addition to consulting with the Ministry of Environment on potential adverse environmental effects; Obtain input from the Ministry of Tourism and the Public Lands Commission; download a new survey on the maximum level mark; and to demand a plan of the place where the dimensions appear.
The request has also fueled tensions between the Central Planning Authority and the National Conservation Council, under whose authority the Ministry of Environment comments on plan-making issues. The Energy Department, in its presentation to the plan-making committee, said it had already submitted comments. about the request in June and that there was no desire to delay the November hearing to wait for those comments.
“We do not understand why the CPA has decided to delay the application in this manner and continues to fail to adhere to the Court of Appeal’s ruling and the path forward agreed to at a recent meeting between the CPA, the NCC and the Departments’ plans and environment,” the Department of Energy said.
He added: “We thank the applicant, on behalf of the government, for this unnecessary delay. “
The Central Planning Authority will hear the request at its meeting this week, scheduled for Wednesday.
If I understand correctly, they are not fishermen or fish sellers. It does not have parking and has traffic problems, it would be better to move them to the tourist market where there is parking.