Africa-Press – Seychelles. President Wavel Ramkalawan has appointed members of the Physical Planning Appeals Board chaired by Patrick Nanty. The other two members are Rightny Amade and Ashley Pothin.
The appointment of the new board of the Planning Authority was also announced yesterday at State House.
This is in accordance with the new Physical Planning Act, 2021 that has replaced the Town and Country Planning Act.
The chairperson of the board of the Planning Authority is Cyril Bonnelame.
The other board members are: Patrick Lablache, Nanette Laure, Dr Jude Gedeon, Patrick Andre, Wilson Nancy, Steve Mussard and Barry Assary.
Angela Servina, the chief executive of the Planning Authority, is an ex-officio member.
The members of the board have been appointed for a three-year period effective as of April 7, 2022.
As for the Physical Planning Appeals Board, its functions are to: consider any appeal by an applicant aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Authority; and after considering the appeal reject the appeal and confirm the authority’s decision; allow the appeal in whole or in part and vary the authority’s decision; set aside the authority’s decision and make a decision in substitution for it: or direct the authority to reconsider its decision and notify the appellant in writing of the Appeals Board’s decision on the appeal.
Addressing the new members of the board, President Ramkalawan noted that “the new law makes you the highest authority as far as planning is concerned. Before it was the minister who had this role and the new law has changed this. I want the Seychellois to understand that it is no longer the minister who will hear appeals. The minister is a political person and we want the process to be impartial”.
President Ramkalawan also noted he is confident that under the leadership of Mr Nanty things will be looked at without prejudice.
Mr Nanty shared that the Appeals Board will start its function once the act is gazetted and a person appointed as a member of the board shall hold office for a term of three years effective as of April 7, 2022.
“Our first job will be to look at all the files and see the pending cases. We will also hold a few meetings. The board will not be affiliated with the Planning Authority. The decision of the board is independent based on fairness and facts. Soon after all the logistics are done, we will inform the public where we will be located,” said Mr Nanty.
There are many reasons for people to bring forward a case to the Appeal Board. All cases necessitate thorough investigation and consultation with both parties before a decision is made.
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