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Mystery development irks Kingston 8 residents
🇯🇲 Jamaica /Culture & Society

Mystery development irks Kingston 8 residents

From Jamaica Observer · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Residents in Kingston 8, Jamaica, are concerned about a proposed five-storey development on Broadway Close.
  • They claim developers have been secretive and unresponsive to requests for information about the project.
  • Residents face a tight deadline to object to the development, despite not having seen the plans, and have been denied access to them by local authorities.

Residents in sections of Manor Park, Kingston 8, are expressing strong opposition to a planned development, citing a lack of transparency and secrecy surrounding the project. The residents are particularly concerned about a proposed five-storey building slated for 2 Broadway Close.

The developers posted a notice of intention to build at 2 Broadway Close on July 6, 2026. Within 48 hours, the Broadway Mews Association formally requested the plans. The developer responded that the plans were in progress and would be provided once completed. Since then, there has been no further correspondence.

— ResidentsA letter shared with the Jamaica Observer detailing their frustration with the lack of communication from developers.

According to residents, efforts to obtain details about the development have been met with resistance. A notice of intention to build was posted on July 6, 2026, and while the Broadway Mews Association formally requested the plans within 48 hours, the developer reportedly stated they were still in progress and provided no further correspondence. Residents claim multiple subsequent requests for information have been ignored.

Despite multiple requests, the community has been left in the dark. The developers were aware of the community’s interest within 48 hours of the notice going up. Yet, they have chosen to ignore all subsequent requests for information.

— ResidentsA letter shared with the Jamaica Observer expressing their feelings of being excluded from the development process.

The situation has been exacerbated by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC). Residents were informed they had only 35 days to file an objection, a deadline they argue is impossible to meet without access to the development plans. They also reported being told that requests for plans under the Access to Information Act could take up to 60 days, potentially exceeding the objection period.

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) informed residents they had only 35 days to file an objection. This creates an impossible situation where residents are being asked to object to a developer whose plans they have not seen, may not receive before the deadline, and which the developer has refused to share.

— ResidentsA letter shared with the Jamaica Observer outlining the challenges posed by the KSAMC's objection deadline.

Architects and community members have highlighted that the process prevents meaningful public participation. Residents are being asked to object to a project whose plans they have not seen, may not receive before the deadline, and which the developer has refused to share. Attempts by the Jamaica Observer to get comments from the KSAMC have so far been unsuccessful.

Dr Green has highlighted this exact issue. When citizens contact the KSAMC, they are denied access to the development proposals. Without the drawings, how are we to object?

— ResidentsQuoting concerns raised by Dr. Patricia Green, a registered architect, to support their argument about lack of access to plans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jamaica Observer. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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