Temporary protective works being done at dilapidated Vale Royal
Published:Thursday | February 29, 2024 | 1:11 PM
The Government says it is currently in the process of effecting temporary protective works at Vale Royal after a video circulated on social media showed the national heritage site falling apart.
In a media release on Thursday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said a team from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) recently conducted a site inspection and will be submitting a report for assessment.
Following concerns raised about the state of Vale Royal, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in November 2022 that the Government was considering proposals for the restoration and future use of the property as well as estimated costs for repairs.
In its release on Thursday, the OPM indicated the Government was still evaluating those proposals.
"Given its status as a heritage site, options for its repair or rehabilitation must be carefully considered," the OPM said.
It said the JNHT has proposed that the facility be repurposed to include a library and museum that would be a repository of documents and memorabilia of all Prime Ministers of Jamaica.
Another proposal involves the development of Vale Royal as a protocol complex, which will host dignitaries that visit Jamaica from time to time, or as was done previously, to host functions.
The OPM said the building was assessed in 2013 as having significant structural problems that would limit its use. It said given the state of repair of the building routine repair work would not be sufficient, and it would require extensive rehabilitation.
The Vale Royal property is over 300 years old. It was renovated in the 1980s and designated as the official residence of the Prime Minister.
The OPM noted that in recent times, successive Prime Ministers have not used it for this purpose as the facilities are insufficient.
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