LUCEA, Hanover -- The ugly controversy over the Royale Rest cemetery in Burnt Ground, Hanover, appears headed for a peaceful ending, according to Water and Housing Minister Dr Horace Chang.

"We think that we are somewhere near a solution," Dr Chang said at last Thursday's regular monthly meeting of the Hanover Parish Council.

Dr Chang, who was mandated by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to resolve the long-standing issue between Royale Rest's developer Dale Delapenha and the residents, who -- in the name of protecting the integrity of their water supply -- have steadfastly refused to let him bury anyone there, was responding to a request for an update from councillor for the Chester Castle division, Wynter McIntosh.

The prime minister asked Delapenha to discontinue burials at the site over a year ago, after it became clear that every attempt to bury a body at the cemetery would culminate in violent protests andshowdowns between the residents and the police.

In consideration of the request, the Government agreed to find an alternate location for Delapenha.

But, frustrated with the government's slow pace in resolving the matter, Delapenha, who has long argued that he obtained the necessary permits to conduct burials at the cemetery, announced last October that he would be reopening the controversial facility for business.

Dr Chang told the council on Thursday that further delays in resolving the matter could prove very costly to the Government.

" If we don't find somewhere soon it could cost the public a lot of money, because the gentleman (Delapenha) has his permits," he explained.

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