MARIGOT–The decree implementing the revised draft of the Natural Risks Prevention Plan (PPRN) was signed in advance on Tuesday and applies only to new construction, the Préfecture disclosed in a release.
Existing buildings fall under the provisions of the 2011 version of the PPRN and the Irma flooding map that was brought to the attention of the Collectivité on November 30, 2017, and which can be viewed and studied on the website of the Collectivité of St. Martin www.com-saint-martin.fr/carte-des-aleas-et-regles-d-urbanisme_saint-martin-antilles and on the Préfecture’s website www.saint-barth-saint-martin.gouv.fr/action-de-l-etat/environnement-et-prevention-des-risques/prevention-des-risques/risques-naturels
The final PPRN will be signed in December after incorporating comments received and proposed by the Public Enquiry Commission. This Commission will start its work very soon on dates to be communicated at a later time.
PPRN is a project that responds to the desire of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron to strengthen the protection of the population and make the territory more resilient. During his visit to St. Martin in September 2018, Macron expressed his views on the need to approve the natural risk prevention plan by the end of 2019. Revision of the 2011 PPRN is in line with the President’s wishes.
This revision is included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and the President of the Collectivité of St. Martin, Daniel Gibbs, in November 2017.
It was on this basis that extensive work was carried out with a timetable presented to the President of the Collectivité and all elected officials on March 25 and May 6. The project was also presented to the population during eight public meetings, four of which were held in the neighbourhoods.
The project takes into consideration the realities of the territory and integrates work carried out with the Collectivité. It incorporates proposals from meetings attended by the Collectivité, experts, economists, architects, local authorities, associations, building professionals, members of neighbourhood councils and residents.
Economic interest zones have been created in Marigot, Quartier d’ Orléans, Grand Case and Orient Bay at the request of the Collectivité to allow the development of activities to boost the economy. Lifting of some restrictions on new construction was permitted. The Collectivité must rely on the revised regulatory zoning plan of the PPRN to issue urban planning authorisations for buildings. The early implementation order will allow individuals and entrepreneurs waiting for decisions to obtain a rapid response from the Collectivité’s urban planning services.
The draft of the PPRN will remain evolving until its final signature in December. Everyone is invited to express themselves and to forward their observations to the Préfecture via: the helplines set up by the Préfecture on (05 90) 52. 30. 50, and the consultation office open to all individuals and investors who might need precise explanations regarding their situation (Wednesday morning, 9:00am to 12:00pm).
For the Public Enquiry, there will be three Commissioners who will meet inhabitants, economic planners and local authorities to collect all the comments. It is important that everyone be involved in the development of this document. Consultation must continue in the interest of the inhabitants and the territory.
Even if definitively approved, the plan remains an evolving document that will take into account over time all global development projects located in high-risk areas and negotiated between the State and the Collectivité.
The revised PPRN is available on the website of the Préfecture at www.saint-barth-saint-martin.gouv.fr/Actualites/LA-UNE/Actualites/Revision-PPRn-2019.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/89780-decree-for-revised-natural-risks-prevention-plan-signed
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