Participation in plans, programmes and policies (Sections 6, 10, 14, 15 and 16 and First Schedule)
Development and Planning Board: three of its members shall be persons not in the public service who shall be appointed from among persons who have knowledge and experience in commerce and industry, economic and financial matters or any other area of public interest that the Minister considers relevant to physical planning. The Board shall institute, complete, maintain and keep under review a study of matters pertinent to planning the use and development of the land of Saint Christopher and prepare or cause to be prepared development plans. It shall also be responsible for the implementation of the policies framed by the Minister.
Development plans: A proposal for the preparation of a development plan shall include proposals for obtaining representations from persons likely to be affected by or likely to wish to submit representations and views on the proposed plan during the course of its preparation. When the Board has prepared a draft development plan it shall deposit a copy at the offices of the Board and at such other place or places as the Board considers to be most effective for bringing it to the notice of persons residing, working or owning property in the area to which the proposals in the draft development plan relate, or who are likely to be affected by the proposals in the draft development plan. The Board shall give notice in the Gazette and in at least one newspaper circulating in Saint Christopher of the depositing of a draft development plan, and of the places where it may be examined, and shall give such other publicity to and written or oral explanation of the draft development plan as, in its opinion, is best calculated to inform all persons affected or likely to be affected by the proposals in the draft development plan, and all persons of the right to make representations with regard to the proposals in the draft development plan. Any person may, within eight weeks of the publication in the Gazette of the notice make either oral or written representations on the draft development plan to the Board. The Board shall consider the draft development plan and the representations and comments made. The Minister may require further consultations before adopting the draft plan. Such provisions apply to any modification.
Environmental Protection Areas: The Board may, and if so directed by the Minister shall, cause a survey to be made of the whole or any part of Saint Christopher with a view to determining whether any area ought to be designated an environmental protection area in a development plan. The Board shall take such steps as in its opinion will ensure that adequate publicity is given to its proposals in the area to which the proposals relate; provide persons living and working in the area and any other persons interested in the area with an opportunity of making representations and comments on the proposals; and take account of the representations and comments received on the proposals. In determining whether it is desirable to designate any area as an environmental protection area in a development plan, the Board and the Minister shall have regard to the survey and any representations or comments submitted by any person, body or authority on the proposals.
During the preparation of a development plan and before finally determining its content for submission to the Minister, the Board shall take such steps as, in its opinion, will ensure that adequate publicity is given in the area to which the plan relates to the matters which it proposes to include in the plan; that persons who may be expected to desire an opportunity of making representations to the Board with respect to those matters are made aware that they are entitled to an opportunity of doing so; and that such persons are given an adequate opportunity of making such representations. The Board shall consider any representations made to it within the prescribed period.