Prescriptive rights for the beach is among issues to be deliberated by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JABBEM), as the lobby group seeks to have the UDC restore full public access to Little Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

The lawyers for the parties appeared in court yesterday, for the expected start of a trial relating to a claim filed by JABBEM.

The trial has been put on hold, because the UDC indicated that it’s willing to negotiate with JABBEM, in a bid to reach a settlement regarding the Belmont Cove property.

They return to court on July 17.

UDC’s attorney, Patrick Foster, told IRIE FM News that, in addition to the prescriptive rights claimed by JABBEM, the issue of business operation on the property needs to be addressed.

The UDC closed the property in August 2022, in the wake of the murder of a man, citing concerns about safety and the need to fully develop the attraction.

For years, citizens have had access to Little Dunn’s River, despite it not being a formally offered attraction by the UDC.

When it was closed, residents of Ocho Rios and advocacy groups lamented that it was the only free beach in the area and called for access to be restored.

The UDC later offered limited access with the attraction opened on Sundays only.