Arthur Green, Gleaner Writer

The slopes of the Blue Mountains hold within them turmoil, as farmers of Penlyne Castle and Hagley Gap struggle with a businessman over precious land. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

MORANT BAY, St Thomas:

The St Thomas Parish Council has thrown its full support behind the farmers of the Penlyne Castle/Hagley Gap cluster, who have been at odds with a businessman in the hills of the parish bordering St Andrew.

A motion, fully endorsed by the council in session at its last monthly meeting on Thursday and piloted by the mayor himself, council Chairman Harold Brown, sought to have the reinstatement of previously identified subdivisions.

The council, in advocating the move, is trying to prevent a position being pursued by Dr Charles Lyn to have a road designated as the marker for two subdivisions being categorised as private property.

No access

In the meantime, over 55 farmers have not had access to their cultivation for over six months.

The farmers are being blocked by an iron gate erected on the property, now called Abbey Green Estates, by Lyn.

The farmlands on the estate have been used by farmers for in excess of 85 years, and today, a fourth and fifth generation of agriculturists have subsistence crops such as coffee, willow pine and a large variety of vegetables, from which they derive their livelihood and account for the main source of income in the community.

The case, which had reached the Supreme Court and referred to mediation, has again broken down.

Fresh concerns

According to spokesman for the farmers, Alfred Edwards, there are now fresh concerns.

Edwards said Lyn has reneged on the mediation agreement, which was to provide monetary compensation for crop lost and to allow three days of access to farmers to renew their activities on the disputed property.

This situation was thrown into greater disarray when Davrill Dwyer, councillor for the Trinityville division, was sidelined from the argument by a court injunction.

Dwyer was the council's liaison, and the local representative for the farmers.

The injunction, therefore, silenced the parish council's input.

The matter occupied a substantial portion of the council meeting, as a delegation from the farmers attended, to once again appeal for help.

The Gleaner was unable to obtain any response from the Abbey Green Estates or its principal, Dr Charles Lyn, as telephone calls went unanswered.