Land Dispute Deepens as Ministry Documents Reveal Same-Day Approval

A land dispute involving Sherene Garbutt of Independence Village has taken a dramatic turn, as newly surfaced documents from the Ministry of Natural Resources raise serious questions about how a 22-acre parcel was transferred to another applicant.

Garbutt, who has spent the past three years navigating the ministry’s approval process, says she was blindsided when she learnt the land she applied for was granted to someone else. She had already received permission to survey the land, completed those surveys, and submitted her lease application. Only to be told this year that the land was no longer available.

Documents obtained from within the ministry show that the land was awarded to Charles Anthony Price, a resident of Orange Walk. According to the paperwork, Price’s application was submitted to the minister on April 29 and approved that same day. There is no record of when Price first applied or how long the process took, but a lease was reportedly issued last year and remains in effect until a title is granted. The 22-acre parcel was sold for just $10,000.

Garbutt, who had applied for 20 acres, says she is not giving up. She plans to take legal action against the Ministry of Natural Resources, arguing that her application was still pending when the land was transferred.