Holness announces Vale Royal overhaul
Could be repurposed as library, museum of PMs
Published:Wednesday | November 9, 2022 | 12:06 AM
The Government has indicated that it will “repurpose” the historic Vale Royal residence as a national monument.
The disclosure was made by Prime Minister (PM) Andrew Holness during Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament when he answered questions tabled by St Andrew South Eastern Member of Parliament Julian Robinson about the deterioration of the residence.
Vale Royal is located in Robinson’s constituency.
Holness told the House that a 2013 assessment of the building found significant structural damage, which has limited use of the property.
“I think we can all agree that the current facilities and the current structure at Vale Royal are not suitable for the purpose of being the official residence of the prime minister,” Holness told his parliamentary colleagues.
In the same breath, he clarified that Vale Royal was never the official residence of Jamaican PMs but instead was the residence of former finance minister-turned-PM, the late Edward Seaga.
While acknowledging the importance of the property, he said that it would not have been financially prudent to increase maintenance allocations given the Government’s priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holness said that the 300-year-old structure will continue to facilitate, where possible, protocol and other activities related to the Office of the Prime Minister.
He said that it has been proposed by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust that the house and property be repurposed to include a library and museum of all PMs.
“It could become, if we invest in it significantly, a protocol house which will host guests from time to time who visit Jamaica or host functions and entertainment, which it used to do. It could become a protocol house that is in the pool of protocol houses that will be made available to ministers or other officials of government to become a residence,” said Holness.
While insisting that residents will be consulted on the works, the PM denied suggestions that the structure will be demolished for the construction of apartments.
“There is no intent to knock down Vale Royal and have it sold or developed into apartments. It is utter nonsense! The Government has been very cautious in treating with this national asset,” he said.
At the same time, he said a separate residence from the repurposed structure could be constructed for future PMs on the same grounds.
He welcomed the input of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in assessing the historical value of the property.
“So, I’m open to that kind of discussion as to the location of the official residence of the prime minister,” said Holness.
He noted that these are national decisions that would have to be decided on by a parliamentary committee.