Letter To The Editor

The phrase ‘bland architecture’ is wonderful! For many years some of us have been discussing the lack of planning or foresight in the Valley area and could not think of a delicate way to say it but ‘bland architecture’ exactly fits the so-called architecture of the area. (There are, of course, one or two exceptions). Box like structures are popping up without a thought to design or aesthetics.

Anguilla has the chance to develop something to be proud of but unfortunately, we are not doing so well. This lack to vision is due either to greed or complete ignorance. This trend started many years ago when the prison was placed in the centre of a developing town. People are not thinking of the future at all. Another example is the location of Lake’s gas station. This facility could have been placed about twenty feet further away from the road! This intersection is the most dangerous and most difficult to manoeuvre in all of the island. Also, in the unthinkable event of a fire or explosion, its proximity to a lumber yard, a high school, a library, a day care centre does not bear thinking about. The National Bank of Anguilla building could also been located a few more feet off the road, making the street a little wider. In the few years since this structure was built, traffic congestion has become increasingly worse. The other side was already built up. It seems the planners locating the property lost a chance to help provide a better looking corner as well as facilitate easier movement of traffic.

Nobody knows ‘if there is a qualified urban planner employed by the government’ but there is desperate need for help. Locating a lumber yard next to businesses such as banks, and our Parliament buildings is not a great idea either. There are a couple things I would like the planners to consider and these are (1) Please do not allow all the fertile, flat land in the area to be covered over with concrete. There is need for a park, (not a sports field) for the use of people, for flowers and trees, for shade, just for fun. (2) Please keep a keen eye on parking! Anyone who has been to Basseterre, St. Kitts recently will know immediately what I mean. They have a nightmare of cars on the streets everywhere. Owners of new buildings must be required by law to provide sufficient parking for their clientele. The streets belong to the people not for parking cars! Forty or fifty years from now these rattle tattle buildings will be an eyesore left to tell the history of our time. The days of “boy, you Anguillian, you can do wa’ you like’ are long gone.” It is time for a proper plan and a proper law. The same law for all the people, not a chosen few.
A Citizen of Anguilla