The residents of Morne Docteur (Woodford) have expressed growing concerns about the ongoing industrial development in their community, led by Rayneau Construction of St Lucia.
The development, which is intended to be an asphalt processing plant, began in mid-2024 without any prior notification or consultation with the community members.
The wave of industrial activity has included deforestation and land clearing, heavy machinery leading to increased traffic, and increased dust and noise pollution. Not only has the construction process already raised health risks in the community and compromised farmers’ access to their lands due to the recent collapse of the feeder road, the residents have significant concerns about the long-term effects of having an industrial plant in their backyards. Erosion and contamination of Halifax Bay, access to the beach for fishing and recreation, air and soil pollution, the effects on property values, and the fate of the cultural artefacts on-site (including a sugar mill and canal) were among the potential issues raised by the community.
Historian Dr John Angus Martin shared: “Woodford Estate goes back to the early 1700s as Petit Havre… Around the old sugar works you can see abandoned cocoa trees, illustrating the deep history of the area. It would be sad to see all of that disappear.”
Following the start of activity in 2024, the community reached out to the Physical Development Authority (PDA) in August and September, but received no response. They requested basic information about the project: whether the project has an official planning and registration number, when it was approved, and if and where this information was publicly accessible. The Woodford residents wrote again to PDA last month, this time formally requesting a consultation with stakeholders to be held by 4 February 2025. However, due to the late response by PDA on 3 February, the community was unable to mobilise a meeting in time; this meeting has been rescheduled for later this week. The lack of public consultation and information breaches Grenada’s obligations under the Escazú Agreement, which was ratified in 2023, mandating public access to information on environmental matters.
Recent discussions on The Bubb Report, segment titled “Triaging Grenada’s Road Infrastructure Challenges” on 9 February, highlighted the lack of environmental impact assessments and ongoing concerns about the plant’s operations.
Wilton Hector, long-time Woodford resident, spoke passionately about his community and the development’s impacts on their lives and livelihoods. The Bubb Report also provided useful context for the construction; the planned asphalt plant aims to increase Grenada’s asphalt production capacity for ongoing road repairs and expansions across the island. While the residents recognise the importance of infrastructure development and the potential short-term benefits in terms of employment, they stress the need for proper environmental safeguards and community engagement throughout the process. The plant is very close to the houses in the community — a mere 300 feet away from the nearest one — and the residents deserve a say in what is planned to be a permanent fixture in their community.
Both Rayneau Construction and Industrial Equipment Ltd. and the PDA have a responsibility to provide transparency in this process and uphold the principles of the Escazú Agreement. Effective project management and community involvement are essential to balance development with environmental and social sustainability. The Grenada Land Actors and residents urge the relevant authorities to listen to the community and address their concerns before proceeding any further with this development. The best time to engage the residents of Woodford about these plans was before construction began; the next best time is now.
GLA
Where is physical planning in all of this?
These problems can be easily solved by letting the public have their say and discussion prior to commencing any large project
Y
I do understand that there might have been a history of Planning being obstructive and failing in their obligation to disclose. However, despite the fact that regarding the Rayneau industrial plant, I had to make contact three times – the last one in writing – before I was finally able to view documentation on the project, I found the staff at Planning to be extremely approachable and refreshingly cooperative.
We were given access to the paperwork from Rayneau which was minimal. What was writ large was the overwhelming disrespect that a company and a foreign one at that – had directed towards Grenada and its laws.
The fact that Planning asked Rayneau to stop construction – as early as June 2024 and Rayneau ignored that order choosing instead to build an entire plant, illegally, is a problem for Government. The question is what relationship will Government cultivate with these reckless hombres who are already putting themselves above the law?
The Planning and Development Authority is not fit for purpose. When will the Minister sack these Members and replace them with responsible individuals who will listen to the community and act in Grenada’s interests.
The PDR is has always been confused and has gotten more confused.