Wick Hall Estate breaks ground in Spanish Town with 221 planned homes

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has endorsed a new private-sector housing development in Spanish Town, where ground was broken for Wick Hall Estate on 36 acres at Featherbed Lane in St Catherine. The project is expected to deliver 221 homes and is being presented as part of a wider push to expand planned, affordable communities near existing infrastructure and economic activity.

The development is being led by businessman Norman Horn, founder and executive chairman of Ark Manufacturing Limited, through the Ark group and its housing interests. Horn said the project was intended to help Jamaican families move into home ownership, build equity and pass assets to future generations. He said the community would include three housing types, along with a clubhouse, pool, park, playground and almost seven acres of green space.

Horn also said the homes would be built with solar water heaters, hurricane-resistant windows and solar-ready features, with designs focused on natural light, open layouts and Jamaica’s climate. First Global Bank was highlighted for a one per cent deposit programme for eligible purchasers, while National Commercial Bank was recognised as a project financier and possible mortgage partner.

Spanish Town Mayor Norman Scott said the development reflected the “rebirth” of Spanish Town and indicated that he would take a proposal to the municipal corporation to rename Featherbed Lane as Featherbed Drive. Member of Parliament Andrew Wheatley, who represents St Catherine South Central, welcomed the investment and said the constituency was open to further residential and commercial projects.

Holness said housing should not be left only to state agencies such as the National Housing Trust, the Housing Agency of Jamaica and the Urban Development Corporation. He said Government had targeted 70,000 housing solutions, while the private sector should help close a wider national shortfall he placed at 150,000 units. He also urged developers to produce more homes at price points ordinary Jamaicans can reach, arguing that properly planned communities support productivity, dignity and national development.