Agricultural land and residential approvals in Tobago
For a site in Tobago, start with the TCPD Tobago office and the parcel’s title or lease. The island falls within planning region T9 and has its own local approval arrangements through the Tobago House of Assembly.
Read the complete land conversion guideUse the Tobago planning route
The Planning Ministry states that planning applications throughout Tobago moved online through DevelopTT from 1 February 2023. The rollout covers T9 from Charlotteville to Crown Point. Use the current registration and application instructions on the portal.
Submit the proposal for the actual Tobago site and keep its reference number. Ask the Tobago office about the land-use policy, earlier approvals and any planning issue affecting the parcel.
Investigate the parcel before detailed design
Give the survey, title or lease and available decisions to the relevant professionals. Ask about legal access, boundary certainty, restrictions, drainage, slope and the services needed for the proposed dwelling or layout.
Obtain Status of Land correspondence where the planning history or proposed residential use needs clarification. For a proposed subdivision, identify the whole parent parcel and the intended treatment of the remaining land.
Resolve a lease through its administering office
Where the land is held under an agricultural lease, ask the attorney to identify the lessor and use restrictions. Confirm the authority responsible for consent on that file, including any relevant THA land-administration role.
Ask for written instructions on the proposed residential use, any building or subdivision consent and the legal instrument required. Include the authority’s decision in the project record.
Coordinate the THA and agency approvals
Planning approval is followed by the relevant local building and public-health process. Confirm the current THA office, required plans, fees and inspection stages for the proposed work. Keep the planning conditions with the building submission.
Check the environmental activities and service requirements. Use the EMA CEC route where required and confirm the appropriate WASA process for the planning file. Coordinate the drawings submitted to each office.
Prepare for the first enquiry
TCPD publishes the Tobago office at Pump Mill Plaza, corner of Plymouth Road and Pump Mill Trace, Scarborough, telephone 868 639 2663 and email tcpdtro@planning.gov.tt. Check the contact page before travelling.
Have the site location, survey and any application reference available. Ask which documents are missing and which THA office handles the next approval for the particular project.
Retain the final approval file
Keep approved drawings, decisions, agency conditions and inspection records together. Confirm the completion requirements with the responsible THA office. Before a sale or financing application, have the attorney and lender identify the documents they require for the transaction.
Discuss your land project
Tell us the location, the documents you hold and the development you have in mind.
Contact DSDillonThis guide provides general information. Obtain advice on the title, lease, site and approvals for your particular proposal.
