27/01/2026
From the TCI Sun
NORTH AND MIDDLE CAICOS RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW DEVELOPMENT CONTROL OFFICE
By Daisy Handfield
Residents of North and Middle Caicos will soon benefit from faster inspections and closer oversight, as the Planning Department opens a satellite Development Control office in February to keep pace with rising construction.
Minister responsible for Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Chuck Musgrove, confirmed in an interview that a Development Control Officer will be assigned to North Caicos within the next two to three months, following a decision made at a recent departmental meeting.
“The islands are seeing a lot of development,” Musgrove said. “Most of the houses are legal, but some people build without proper approval because they don’t see any authority there. Having a Development Control Officer on the ground will help clamp down on illegal structures and ensure inspections at every stage of construction.”
The new Planning Department satellite office is expected to ease the burden on the department’s main office in Providenciales. A staff member has already been appointed, with the Development Control Officer set to begin site inspections shortly after operations commence.
Musgrove credited Anya Williams, Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, for supporting the expansion of satellite government offices across the islands. He noted that decentralizing services is key to managing development outside Providenciales.
“With an on-site Development Control Officer, inspections and approvals will happen more quickly, eliminating the long wait times that have frustrated contractors and homeowners,” Musgrove said. “This is about supporting legal development while making sure the rules are followed.”
Looking ahead, the minister said North and Middle Caicos are well-positioned for steady, controlled growth due to their proximity to Providenciales. He stressed that development should remain measured.
“I want North and Middle Caicos to stay a nice, quiet gem,” he said, citing the success of small boutique hotels already operating on the islands. “We don’t need mega resorts. A handful of boutique properties is enough for now. Large-scale resorts can stay in Provo.”
The government’s focus, Musgrove added, is on balancing economic opportunity with preserving the character of the Family Islands while ensuring planning regulations are enforced consistently as development continues.
CAPTION: Minister for Physical Planning and infrastructure Development Arlington “Chuck” Musgrove