Claims and speculation surrounding a supposed massive development at 2 Broadway Close in Waterworks, St Andrew, appear to have run well ahead of the facts, with documents obtained from sources and residents indicating that what has been contemplated is a relatively modest residential development of approximately a dozen units—a few apartments and townhouses.

The documents reviewed do not show plans for a five-storey apartment complex at the property.

Instead, the development concept submitted for preliminary consideration in 2023 comprised 12 units: six two-bedroom townhouses, four one-bedroom apartments, one studio apartment and one two-bedroom apartment, along with amenities, including a swimming pool and clubhouse.

More recent correspondence shared by Waterworks residents also points to a considerably smaller development than some of the public discussion has suggested.

In a letter dated February 11, 2026, addressed to Raymond Mair, chairman of the Broadway Mews Association, a co-owner of the property advised that the owners had decided to explore development options and were considering “a mix of two-storey apartments with a few townhouses.”

The letter made clear that the owners were still consulting professionals and government authorities to determine what could actually be developed on the property.

Residents familiar with the matter say this is particularly important given suggestions that the community knew nothing about the proposed development.

Sources said the February letter was inadvertently not forwarded directly to Mair at the time. Instead, information concerning the owners’ plans to connect the property to the sewerage network was posted in the Broadway Close WhatsApp group.

In a subsequent message now being circulated, an apology was made for the oversight and an acknowledgement that the original February correspondence had addressed not only the sewer connection but also the proposed townhouse/apartment development.

A request was also made for the original letter, screenshots of the February WhatsApp communication and supporting email records be shared with the relevant community groups to ensure everyone had the complete information.

The planning history also provides important context.

A preliminary enquiry was made to the National Environment and Planning Agency’s Development Assistance Centre in 2023. NEPA confirmed that the approximately half-acre property falls within the Manor Park Local Planning Area and is zoned for residential use.

While the planning rules referenced by NEPA allow residential buildings of up to five storeys in the area, that does not mean a five-storey development was proposed or approved for 2 Broadway Close. The actual concept before the agency involved the dozen residential units outlined above, and NEPA identified several matters that would have to be addressed, including density.

In fact, NEPA made it clear that its 2023 response was not an approval at all. It was preliminary guidance, with any eventual project requiring formal applications and consideration by the relevant authorities.

Waterworks residents who provided the information said legitimate questions about development should certainly be raised and properly answered, particularly concerning drainage, sewage, parking, traffic and neighbourhood character.

However, they believe describing the proposal as a mysterious or massive development creates an impression not borne out by the available records.

The documentation indicates three important facts: the property is zoned residential; the documented concept is for approximately a dozen apartments and townhouses, not a massive apartment complex; and the community association was advised in February that residential development was being contemplated.

Sources say the emerging picture is therefore less one of a secret mega-development and more one of an unfortunate communication breakdown that has generated an unnecessary level of alarm in the Waterworks community.