The construction of an apartment building at Lindley Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Deme-rara is proceeding without permission, according to Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Chief Executive Officer Sherwyn Greaves.
A concerned resident of Nandy Park, East Bank Deme-rara, in a letter to the editor published in Saturday’s edition of the Stabroek News, highlighted the construction, while arguing that the venture is in breach of the zoning law as the area is a residential one.
Stabroek News contacted the CH&PA and was informed by the Chief Executive Officer Greaves that permission for construction of an apartment complex was not granted and the contractor should cease construction.
Stabroek News visited the area on Friday and spoke with a neighbouring resident, who said that he was recently confronted by the contractor, who asked if it was okay for him to concrete his parapet for parking. The man explained that he objected while a few other neighbours were confronted with the same proposal. Neighbours are now protecting their parapets with huge bricks.
“When rain fall all the water from the roof is coming straight over in my yard and as you can see there is no gutter there to direct the water. I was wondering if the Guyana Fire Service would certify this building since it’s so close to the fence,” the neighbouring resident said.
In the letter to this newspaper, the concerned resident said the construction was a clear violation of the land use for the area.
“This is a residential zone. Apartment complexes with a significant number of tenants are not permitted in residential zones. This apartment complex is not in compliance with the parking regulations. A significant number of tenants in the apartments will result in parking congestion and disrupt the quiet nature of Lindley Avenue,” the letter stated.
Also of concern is the proximity of the construction to a neighbouring property. “The construction is very close to neighbours’ fence and not within the legal boundary limits, a clear violation. This is a serious fire hazard and breach of fire regulations. This would cause a significant alteration of the community structure.”
The resident lamented that while there have been numerous letters to the Environmental Health Officer, the Chairman of the Eccles NDC, and Minister Nigel Dharamlall since the Month of May 2022 as it relates to the illegal construction of this property, the construction of the building continues. The resident said as a last resort to get the government institutions to enforce the law, letters were also sent to the President and Vice President of Guyana.
“It seems apparent that there is some form of “institutional lawlessness’’ at the Eccles NDC to allow for the construction without the requisite approval from CH&PA, and a breach of boundary regulations. An intervention on this matter is needed urgently to direct the relevant institutions to act swiftly to apply the laws of Guyana and to act without prejudice or favour. A cease order to this construction needs to be implemented immediately to allow Nandy Park to maintain its residential structure that it had since its conceptualization more than 50 years ago,” the resident added.
