Placencia Council Demands Gov’t Action on Land Dispute

The Placencia Village Council (PVC) is urgently calling on the government to take immediate action in a land dispute that it says threatens the community’s most cherished public space, Placencia Point. In a letter sent to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde on June 9, PVC Chairperson Warren Garbutt demanded a resolution to the issue, which he says has dragged on for over a decade.

The 1.8-acre parcel of land has been at the heart of Placencia life for more than 50 years. It is used for hosting major cultural and economic events like Lobsterfest and the Art Festival. Despite long-standing community use and official requests dating back to 2013, the land was sold to a private company without the council’s knowledge.

The village has tried multiple times to formally acquire the land, reaching out to several ministers and even the Prime Minister over the years. Surveys later revealed inconsistencies in the land’s size, with one survey suggesting that nearly half an acre of shoreline, currently not titled, could belong to the village.

The council says the Ministry of Natural Resources previously committed to helping reclaim the land, including publishing acquisition notices and negotiating with the new landowner. But those promises were never fulfilled, and each year the village faces legal threats during Lobsterfest, which generates critical revenue for local governance.

The council says Placencia Point is a vital part of the village’s culture, identity, and environment, especially as climate change and erosion reduce beach access elsewhere.

The PVC has now given the government until June 12 to respond with a clear plan or face public pressure through the media.