Holness: New development to aid in making Clarendon magnet for investments
Published:Monday | June 23, 2025 | 12:05 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has cited the Longville Meadows housing development in Longville Park, Clarendon as a catalyst that will help position the parish to attract new investment and opportunities.
The prime minister was speaking at the official groundbreaking ceremony on Friday.
The $25-billion project, a partnership between the National Housing Trust (NHT), and construction company Gore Developments Limited, will deliver more than 2,000 one and two-bedroom housing solutions in the Longville Park community – already home to, the NHT’s phases 1, 2 and 3.
“Through this project and others, we are making sure Clarendon becomes a magnet for new investments, and the model for sustainable growth,” said Holness.
The new development will build on the existing infrastructure in Longville Park, one of the largest and fastest-growing housing schemes in the parish.
“This is the kind of development Jamaica needs more of – not informal, not unplanned, not under-served ... not ‘chakka chakka’ development, but structured, regulated and dignified development,” declared Holness.
Holness described the development as a forward-looking model that aligned with the government’s vision for balanced national growth.
“Longville Meadows represents a forward-looking model that aligns with our vision of orderly urbanisation, and balanced regional development,” he posited.
EFFECTIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Noting the collaboration between the NHT and Gore Developments Limited, which jointly assembled the lands for the project, the prime minister praised the initiative as an example of effective public-private partnership.
“This is what happens when public and private sectors work together towards a shared national goal,” Holness remarked.
Noting that Ashley Hall in Lionel Town, in the parish was the NHT’s first housing project in 1977, Holness said the Trust had since delivered more than 9,000 housing solutions across the central parish.
He added that, over the next decade, Clarendon will see the development of another 9,000 solutions, including Longville Park Phase 4, Sheckles Phase 2, and Hummingbird Meadows Phase 2.
Linval Freeman, chairman of the NHT, said the Longville Meadows project represented a significant milestone in the agency’s housing delivery programme.
“Longville Meadows is not just a housing solution, it is a community thoroughly designed and carefully planned to offer quality and affordable housing, while promoting sustainability,” Freeman stated.
Similar sentiments of affordability were echoed by Christopher Gore, managing director of Gore Developments Limited, who said there was a critical need for affordable housing solutions in Clarendon. Gore stressed that the company remained committed to providing accessible options for prospective homeowners, particularly those in the low-income bracket.
Pearnel Charles Jr, member of parliament for Clarendon South Eastern, said the government was not only committed to providing more housing solutions, but also to ensuring that “no Jamaican is left behind”.
He further stated that the new development reflects a greater vision for the growth and transformation of Clarendon South Eastern.