Residents distressed by relocation of Point chattel houses to Lower Fort Road call for Administration to re-think decision

A group calling itself the “Residents of Lower Fort Road and
Adjacent Communities” is expressing concern over the relocation of
Booby Alley homes, and is calling for the Gaston Browne
Administration to rescind its decision to relocate chattel houses to
their area. 

In a press release dated June 27, 2023, the group claims it has
dispatched several pieces of correspondence to government officials
concerning the relocation of Point residents to the Villa/Lower Fort
Road areas, but its collective voice has been ignored.

It says the plight of Lower Fort Road and adjacent areas is real, and
therefore residents have united to address matters concerning their
community’s upliftment, safety and health, plus their own well-
being.

Several weeks ago, two chattel houses appeared on the main road
leading to Fort James, which is known to be a heavily trafficked
tourist route. 

The release says that, upon inquiring, the community learned that
the houses had been moved there as part of the relocation of Booby
Alley residents. The move is intended to accommodate the
Government’s modernisation and beautification of the Lower North
Street/Point areas, given their proximity to the new tourism cruise
port. 

“Regrettably, the residents of Lower Fort Road and adjacent areas,
many of whom have resided in the area for several decades and
have vested interests as property owners, have never been

consulted on the government’s intentions for the area,” the press
release notes.

While the group appreciates the importance of improving The Point
area – and empathizes with its residents for the stress and upheaval
that relocating would have caused them – it wants to know why the
Government would attempt to rectify the issue in The Point by
creating a problem in another community.

In an earlier letter, dated May 27, 2023, and addressed to Prime
Minister Gaston Browne and Charles “Max” Fernandez – MPs for St.
John’s City West and Rural North, respectively – and Minister of
Health Sir Molwyn Joseph, the residents laid out their concerns.  The
other Cabinet members were also apprised.

These officials were informed that the chattel houses lack acceptable
standards for modern sewage disposal and do not conform to
decades-old standards related to residential housing in the area. 

“Residents are concerned that with no adherence to basic health and
building standards, not only will the health of the community be
threatened, but also the property values of residents’ homes would
be at stake,” the release says.