The government is urging people to contribute to the redevelopment of a former exclusion zone by taking advantage of incentives before they expire next year.
Zone C to the west of the island includes the areas of Cork Hill, Delvins, Weekes, Fox’s Bay and Richmond Hill.
In 2020, the government amended laws to make it “more affordable and easy” to redevelop and revitalise the Zone C communities, a press release said on 22 May.
These benefits are available until August 2025.
The first amended law – the Stamp (Fees) (Amendment) Order – significantly reduces stamp fees for land conveyance or transfer on sale within Zone C.
The Physical Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 caps the processing fee for planning applications related to Zone C at EC$50.
The Registered Land (Amendment) Rules 2020 reduces land registration within Zone C by $10.
The Custom Duties and Consumption Tax (Zone C) (Exemption) Order grants exemptions from customs duties and consumption tax for imported items for building, repair or maintenance in Zone C.
During a ministerial field visit on 6 March, government officials witnessed the progress of private property redevelopment in Cork Hill, Richmond Hill, and Fox’s Bay.
Crenston Buffonge, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment, said: “The revitalisation of Zone C communities is integral to Montserrat’s socio-economic growth.
“We urge all stakeholders to seize this opportunity to contribute to the resurgence of this area.”
The ministry is currently running an awareness campaign to encourage further uptake of the initiatives, which includes social media messages, a radio show and a website banner.
More information is available from the ministry at (644) 491-2075 or by email at malhemail@gov.ms
