The Government of the Virgin Islands will be addressing illegal development on the Territory’s Crown lands as well as removal of derelict vehicles, boats and heavy equipment machinery on these lands.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Natural Resources and Climate Change Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley stated that as per the newly instituted Crown Land’s Policy under the subject of Monitoring and Control, the policy authorises the Ministry of Environment to remove or demolish any illegal structure.

Mr. Smith-Berkeley said the Territory’s Crown lands are to be strategically utilised to facilitate the administration and operations of Government and to achieve agreed development objectives, including ensuring delivery of critical public infrastructure, community facilities and social services.

He said other objectives also include development of agriculture and fisheries; environmental protection; adaptation to climate change; reduction of disaster risk; and supporting affordable land and housing programmes for Virgin Islanders, and belongers.

Mr. Smith-Berkeley is cautioning persons who are infringing on this section of the law/policy that their developments will be removed at their expense if they fail to comply with enforcement notices issued under the Physical Planning Act.

The Permanent Secretary said, “The Ministry, in collaboration with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force will remove, at the owner’s expense, any vehicle, building material and other personal property left unattended or abandoned on Crown Land, including public roads and sidewalks, for more than five (5) days.”

Mr. Smith-Berkeley added that the ministry is charged with the conservation of the environment of the Virgin Islands, as well as the preservation and development of its natural resources and that the necessary legislation is put into place to support it.

The Virgin Islands Crown Land Policy governs the administration management, development and use of all Crown land for all purposes, and focuses on strengthening the transparent administration and management of Crown land, including disposal of the same.  

This Policy does not address matters concerning private land.