Building permit amnesty extended amid fire safety concerns in Spanish Town

Mayor of Spanish Town and Chairman of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, Norman Scott, has announced a two-month extension of the building permit amnesty programme for the parish, giving householders additional time to regularise unauthorised structures.

The amnesty, which targets persons who breached regulations by constructing buildings without approved plans, will now run until May 31, 2026.

Scott said the response from residents has been encouraging.

“We are very much encouraged by the responses we have had so far. We have seen where citizens want to do things legally, so we are working with them,” he stated.

According to the mayor, the extension was necessary as the building plan approval process can be time consuming, and the additional period will allow more homeowners to comply with the legal requirements.

Scott also pointed to Wednesday’s tragic fire in St John’s Garden, Spanish Town, which claimed the life of 14-year-old Gabriela Wright and left her brother critically injured, as a stark reminder of the importance of proper building regulations.

Reports indicate that the five-bedroom house destroyed by the blaze had only a single entrance, raising concerns about emergency escape routes.

“We don’t know all the circumstances yet, but one of the reasons we stress building regulations is to ensure safety. When persons submit building plans, it is incumbent on the council to properly vet them so individuals can live in a safe environment,” Scott explained.

He emphasised that the approval process involves multiple checks, including assessments by the Jamaica Fire Brigade, which examines safety measures, such as exits and fire prevention systems, before final approval is granted by the municipal corporation.

The extended amnesty is part of broader efforts by local authorities to promote safer housing standards and reduce the risks associated with unregulated construction across the parish.

- Ruddy Mathison

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