Potential job-creating construction projects have been stalled by Government’s delay in forming a new Development Applications Board, according to Opposition Progressive Labour Party Senator Diallo Rabain.Sen Rabain, the Shadow Minister of Environment and Planning said yesterday that the board, which is responsible for granting planning approval, has not met in six weeks.“For a party that canvassed on improving government policies, creating jobs and lessening the burden on the people of Bermuda, here is a clear example of them missing the mark on all three of these statements,” Sen Rabain said.“It would seem that the part-time Minister of Environment and Planning does not see the appointing of this Board as a priority.”The appointed board is made up of members selected by the Minister, who may or may not have architectural or environmental backgrounds.The board meets on a weekly basis to review planning applications after Department staff have vetted them.Without the board meeting, the Senator said that construction projects cannot receive planning permission.“While this board may not seem that high up the priority list for the new Minister, let’s examine the domino effect it does have,” Sen Rabain said. “Another week in which potential job creating projects are not started.“Another week a land owner accrues interest payments on a mortgage or loan without starting the process of realising some return on their investment.“Another week an architectural agent doesn’t have approval for a submittal and cannot collect any professional fees. Another week the Department of Planning falls behind in getting planning approvals.”Sen Rabain said that it would take around two weeks for any appointed members to get up to speed with the Island’s planning legislation.As a result, the board would not be able to meet until February 15, providing that the board is gazetted on February 1.However the Senator said the process would be quicker if the OBA elected to return the previous board.“As the OBA has promoted that they are an all-inclusive party and regardless of your political affiliation they just want the best for the job, why not reappoint the existing Board en-bloc?“They have been in place for two plus years and could be up and running virtually immediately. I would hope that the delay does not have anything to do with trying to find enough OBA supporters to reward.”Responding, a spokeswoman for the Ministry said that the make-up of the board will be gazetted “shortly”.