Applications Secretariat Branch
Mission
To ensure the provision of an effective and efficient application review process
and to provide quality customer service to clients.
"EXCEEDING CUSTOMERS' EXPECTATIONS"
Functions
The Applications Secretariat Branch (ASB) receives the following applications through the Local Planning Authorities:
- Subdivision
- Planning/Development Applications including:
Detail planning, e.g., Housing/Resort/Commercial developments, petroleum storage facility, cellular tower, advertisement
Outline planning, Change of use, Retention of use
The ASB receives the following applications directly from the applicants:
- Environmental Permits
- Environmental Licences
- Beach Licences
- Subdivision and Planning Enquiries
The ASB also receives applications for Restrictive Covenants through the Supreme Court.
The ASB circulates subdivision and planning applications to other agencies
as required. These agencies include:
- National Works Agency
- National Land Agency (Land Valuation Division)
- National Water Commission
- Ministry of Mining and Energy (Mines and Geology Division)
- Jamaica Bauxite Institute
- Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
- Ministry of Health (Environmental Health Unit)
- Ministry of Agriculture (Rural Physical Planning Unit)
- Jamaica Public Service Company
- Water Resources Authority
- Jamaica National Heritage Trust.
The ASB also:
- Collates comments from the external agencies
- Monitors applications throughout processing
- Responds to clients' queries regarding the status of applications
- Liaises with the relevant agencies regarding applications
- Reports to the Ministry of Land & Environment on the status of applications
- Provides other information as required.