Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the District Council of Black River that Morcellement Baobab Ltd submitted a total of seven applications for the Building and Land Use Permit in respect of a proposed residential development at Black River Road, Gros Cailloux. Out of the seven applications, six were either set aside or rejected before any approval was granted. Four applications were set aside due to the failure of the applicant to provide the information, clarification, and supporting documents requested by the Council. One application was rejected owing to the absence of mandatory clearance from relevant authorities, including Central Electricity Board, the Land Drainage Authority, and La Ferme and Magenta Water Users Association. Another application submitted for a development comprising 35 residential units was set aside following advice from the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change that the proposed development constituted a schedule undertaking requiring a Preliminary Environmental Report clearance, that is, a PER. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, a revised application was subsequently submitted on 01 September 2025 for the construction of 25 residential units. I am informed that the revised proposal differed materially from the earlier submission in terms of its scale and layout and was assessed as a new application on their own merits. The application was referred to the relevant technical authorities and favourable recommendations were received from the Wastewater Authority, the Land Drainage Authority and the Water Resources Unit. At the time the application was assessed, the Council had not received any determination from the Ministry of Environment indicating that the revised development of 25 residential units constituted a schedule undertaking requiring a PER clearance. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the application was thereafter considered by the Permit and Business Monitoring Committee, that is the PBMC, which is a collective decision-making body comprising elected members and officers of the Council. Following consideration of the application and recommendations received from the relevant authorities, approval was granted at the Committee meeting held on 06 October 2025 and the Building and Land Use Permit was subsequently issued in accordance with the applicable statutory procedures. I am further informed that it was only on 27 January 2026, that is, more than three months after the permit had been approved and issued, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change informed the Council that the development of 25 residential units should be treated as a schedule undertaking requiring a Preliminary Environmental Report clearance. Upon receipt of that communication, the Council acted immediately. The promoter was informed that the requirement and at its meeting of 06 February 2026, the Permit and Business Monitoring Committee resolved that an additional condition be incorporated into the permits requiring the promoter to obtain the necessary preliminary environmental report approval prior to the commencement of any development works on site. The promoter was accordingly advised that no works could proceed unless and until the required environmental approval had first been obtained. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the allegation of conflict of interest, I am informed that the matter was raised for the first time by way of a letter dated 29 April 2026, more than six months after the Permit and Business Monitoring Committee (PBMC) had considered and approved the application. I am further informed that the application was considered by the PBMC in the presence of several members, including Mr V. B., in his capacity as District Councillor, and member of that objection, reservation and concern being raised by any member, including V.B. in relation to any alleged conflict of interest during the consideration of the application. The allegation subsequently made, does not constitute a finding of conflict of interest. It remained an allegation which is presently the subject of investigation by the competent authorities. It is not for the District Council or my Ministry to speculate on, or determine, the merits of that allegation. The responsibility falls within the remit of the competent investigative authorities. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that concurrently, an inquiry has already been initiated at the level of my Ministry regarding the issuance of the BLUP, while the allegation concerning possible conflict of interest has been referred to the Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant authorities for investigation. At this stage, neither the District Council nor my Ministry has established the existence of any possible conflict of interest. In the absence of any such finding and in view of the ongoing inquiry and investigations, it would be inappropriate and premature to draw conclusion or prejudge their outcome. Any decision or action that may be required will be considered once the inquiries and investigations have been concluded. Thank you.

Yes!

Je vous remercie. Je souhaiterais déposer d'abord la lettre de signalement authentifiée. L'honorable ministre peut-il informer la Chambre si le clearance du ministère de l'Environnement n'aurait pas en principe dû avoir été obtenu avant que soit délivré le permis de construction, le BLUP?

Above 30 unit of residential permit, it needs a PER. Under 30 units, we do not need a PER. But it depends on the Ministry; it can ask for a PER even of under 25 as it is the case. It depends on the Ministry to decide.

Yes, hon. Member!

L'honorable ministre peut-il indiquer à la Chambre s'il y a eu également des complaintes des habitants de Gros Cailloux concernant l'opération d'un garage appartenant au Chairman sur un terrain appartenant à cette compagnie et si c'est le cas, qu'est-ce qui a été fait pour soulager ces habitants?

We have not received any case of such complaint because as I know from the Council that the garage exists for nearly 10 years above.

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