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Any crown lands encroachments will be demolished or removed

- as VI Government moves to address illegal developments on Crown Lands
The Government of the Virgin Islands will be addressing illegal development on the Territory’s Crown lands as well as removal of derelict vehicles, boats and heavy equipment machinery on these lands. Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley stated in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on February 28, 2024, that as per the newly instituted Crown Land’s Policy under the subject of Monitoring and Control, the policy authorises the Ministry of Environment to remove or demolish any illegal structure. Photo: GIS
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley stated in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on February 28, 2024, that as per the newly instituted Crown Land’s Policy under the subject of Monitoring and Control, the policy authorises the Ministry of Environment to remove or demolish any illegal structure. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands will be addressing illegal development on the Territory’s Crown lands as well as removal of derelict vehicles, boats and heavy equipment machinery on these lands.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley stated in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on February 28, 2024, that as per the newly instituted Crown Land’s Policy under the subject of Monitoring and Control, the policy authorises the Ministry of Environment to remove or demolish any illegal structure.

Mr Smith-Berkeley said the Territory’s Crown lands are to be strategically utilised to facilitate the administration and operations of Government and to achieve agreed development objectives, including ensuring delivery of critical public infrastructure, community facilities and social services.

He said other objectives also include development of agriculture and fisheries; environmental protection; adaptation to climate change; reduction of disaster risk; and supporting affordable land and housing programmes for Virgin Islanders, and belongers.

Ministry to collaborate with RVIPF 

Mr Smith-Berkeley is cautioning persons who are infringing on this section of the law/policy that their developments will be removed at their expense if they fail to comply with enforcement notices issued under the Physical Planning Act.

The Permanent Secretary said, “The Ministry, in collaboration with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force will remove, at the owner’s expense, any vehicle, building material and other personal property left unattended or abandoned on Crown Land, including public roads and sidewalks, for more than five (5) days.”

Mr Smith-Berkeley added that the ministry is charged with the conservation of the environment of the Virgin Islands, as well as the preservation and development of its natural resources and that the necessary legislation is put into place to support it.

The Virgin Islands Crown Land Policy governs the administration management, development and use of all Crown land for all purposes, and focuses on strengthening the transparent administration and management of Crown land, including disposal of the same.  

This Policy does not address matters concerning private land.

17 Responses to “Any crown lands encroachments will be demolished or removed”

  • Bunchie (29/02/2024, 08:46) Like (2) Dislike (26) Reply
    More than likely a bunch of rasta rascals pilfering government lands to grow fruits and vegetables to go sell for a profit. Want to ensure they never return? Work obeah on them in the name of Selassie and I am certain they never show back.
    • or maybe (29/02/2024, 10:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      peoples greed and annoying the government contnually over the past 3 years has pushed this new policy, land committees trying to steal land from one family to give to their "friend family" even though this person has already built illegally on crown land and keeps trying to steal more crown land and land from others and had the backing of the land committee due to his sucking up and agreeing to everything they said. They became a joke after starting so well and now trying to go out with a bang , but they are just an american damp squid carpet bagger. Then there are others who have bulit and are now wondering if they will be allowed to stay or demolished after being told all they had to do with put up a structure and get it surveyed then it belongs to them..... funny that
      • Poor You (29/02/2024, 10:47) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Let me explain something to you! You ain't Anegadian! You barely there cause you marry one! You just vex cause the people getting what's rightfully theirs and due to that, your market share gonna dwindle!
  • Woe (29/02/2024, 09:11) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Less talk and more action
  • PoliFarmer (29/02/2024, 09:53) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    I just can’t waitttttt to get my hands on this Ministry!!!

    • laughable (29/02/2024, 10:39) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      And what do you expect will be the BIG change if you get a position? A lot of noise everyday but you have no action. Always asking for hand outs. Sometimes you have to spend your own to succeed, but even your lil small business you ask for sponsor every time you have to go out and sell.
    • lol (29/02/2024, 20:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dude thinks he is an expert in everything. Mouth pops off like popcorn but mostly hot air. Bun your sinsemilla, pull on your chalice and chill yourself.
  • Looking from the outside (29/02/2024, 10:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    MORE TALK AND NO ACTION THERE IS ONE IN PURCELL BUILDING WITHOUT BUILDING PERMIT AND THE building authority let them continue. More noise and less action.
  • Winky (29/02/2024, 10:40) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let's hope this includes all the containers , food trucks , car washes etc. all over Wickhams Cay. These nasty little businesses make parking impossible to find. How is a carwash allowed to just take over a public parking space ?
  • Road Town Rastaman (29/02/2024, 11:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can recall the time which was about 12 years back when natives can sign up for some free crown land.
    The result was that there were malicious hateful family members in VG scratching off innocent signees who signed up for the free crown land.
    Heard that as till this present day, that land over there is just sitting there just wasting away.
    Just putting this out there.
  • VG (29/02/2024, 11:37) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why Do we have crown land on the Cay owned by people who will never build in there lifetime and rent it out to persons who have the sites like a dump. disgusting
  • Big Richard (29/02/2024, 13:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course all this depends on who it involves whether anything get done.
  • Beaches (29/02/2024, 13:13) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    How about removing the illegal vendors off the beaches. Cluttering up with chairs and umbrellas making the areas look like gypsy camps. Illegal restaurants that don't live up to health codes and are 'illegal'
  • lodger (29/02/2024, 13:43) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Since you are all hiding behind blogger names, why dont you get it out into the open, and name names. Authorities will have to investigate if you do.
  • Tortolian women in Baugher’s Bay (29/02/2024, 18:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ lodger. Who is hiding behind lodger names? There was no one here who mentioned anything about names.
    If so, then tell us who and what names they are.
    If there’s anyone hiding stuff it’s probably you yourself.
  • good news (01/03/2024, 05:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    does this mean all of the illegal mooring balls at west end and around the territory installed by foreigners will be removed so we can get access for what shod be rightfully ours
    looking forward to that


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