Unfinished walls an eyesore
Can you explain to me why there are so many unfinished block walls (fences) on this island? It seems the people can afford to construct these walls all around their property but when it comes to the final stage of painting or finishing it with a texture they just stop. I see walls that have been left as bare block for over a decade. It is a total eyesore and brings down the value of the surrounding properties.
Auntie’s answer: This might be a case of one person’s unfinished wall is another’s completed fence. A Ministry of Planning official pointed out that the relevant legislation is Section 29A in the Development and Planning Law (2017 Revision) under Part IIIA, which deals with “Land Adversely Affecting Amenity of Neighbourhood”.
The section says that if an area “is adversely affected or seriously injured by reason of the ruinous, dilapidated or other condition of any building, structure, fence or wall,” the Central Planning Authority may serve notice to the owner or the person responsible for the land or building. This notice will state what steps are required to be taken and within what time period.
Anyone who fails to comply with the notice commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a pretty hefty fine.
However – and this is a fairly large however – the fact that you don’t like the way a wall looks doesn’t translate into any action that can be taken to force a person to improve its appearance.
I think the planning official put this point best, explaining, “Aesthetical treatments, however, such as rendering of the block work or a new coat of paint would not be covered under the provisions of section 29A.”
By that explanation, I believe the walls in question will continue to stand as they are.
The law mentioned in this column can be found on the CNS Library
Category: Ask Auntie, Planning Questions
Go and live in Bermuda or Switzerland if you need a society regulated to that degree.
Otherwise you are so sad.
And you are apparently a happy hillbilly
Maybe go join Rotary or another club and see if people would volunteer to improve the aesthetics with a spot of paint, then ask the homeowners if they want their wall painted for free. I get that it rewards the offender, but it seems like the result is more important.
Cayman islands is a third world country. Get used to it.
walk down eastern avenue….. and you will see the ‘talents’ of cig planning department…..
I agree with you. They should be forced to paint the wall so that you could then complain about the colour of the wall.
The owners come from slums and bring it to our island. Disgusting.
#EverydayCaymankindRacism
Other things more important to worry about that going around looking at walls… move on!
we need to present our island home in the most positive way and these walls as mentioned are eyesores along with all the damn litter that people throw from their car windows. Government coffers could be overflowing if the police were astute enough to see and do something about it.
What “other things more important to worry about” would be burdening your thoughts if your 7 year old child needed surgery and 17 stitches because she impaled herself on a piece of rebar sticking out of a neighbour’s unfinished wall? I guess you must have a lot more pressing issues since you are the voice of reason. I guess we shall just “move on!”
Sue the owners for pain and suffering
Grow a heart