THE GOVERNMENT is working on plans to increase housing solutions in Portland with five housing developments expected to come on stream within the next three years.
The announcement was made by Member of Parliament for eastern Portland, Dr. Donald Rhodd, at a recent community meeting for land settlers at the Fairy Hill Settlement in the parish.
The areas slated for development include Passley Gardens, Norwich, Bottomwood in Long Bay, Barracks in Manchioneal and Waterworks in Naylors Hill.
These projects will significantly reduce housing demands in the parish, said Dr. Rhodd.
The meeting, which was sponsored by the Urban Development Co-operation (UDC) also discussed the terms of payment for parcels of land to be sold.
Under the proposed arrangement, the settlers were expected to make a down payment of $35,000 with the balance of $121,000 being paid within four months for a 202 square metre lot.
However, the residents expressed disapproval with the terms of payment. The Member of Parliament submitted a proposal that payment should be done on the basis of socio-economic survey in the area.
Dr. Rhodd explained that this should facilitate a system of payment that would allow the settlers to pay in accordance with "their ability to do so".,
The UDC is expected to review the proposal to determine whether it could be accommodated, after which another meeting would be arranged with the residents.
The Fairy Hill property consists of 110.6 hectares of land, divided into residential and commercial lots.
