Cole Simons calls for ‘discipline and respect’ on planning
By Glenn Jones
The United Bermuda Party’s Shadow Environment Minister says the Southlands development “appears to be a fait accompli” and has challenged Government to halt all special development order requests to allow greater public participation in the planning process.
Cole Simons released a statement yesterday titled “Time for a Reality Check”. It states: “We’re not saying no to Southlands. We know the tourism industry needs new product, and we recognise that the zoning is in place to allow the Southlands development. “But we have to use this project as the starting point to restore discipline and respect for our planning system.”
The Southlands development plan for the 37-acre property in Warwick would transform the historic space into a hotel and condominium resort with living quarters for staff.
Developers have requested two SDOs, which, if granted, would speed up the development process and prevent public input during phases of construction.
There has been no decision yet from the Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield on the SDOs, but recent news - including the announcement of a completion date at a Cabinet Building press conference - suggest to some that the decision has already been guaranteed to developers and to Jumeriah, the would-be hotel operator.
The law permits the Environment Minister to grant SDOs if she feels the proposed project is of national importance.
There are at least six tourism-related special development orders currently under consideration at the Ministry, an exceptionally high number.
Those facts have led Mr. Simons to also say in his statement: “Our concern is not limited to the Southlands project.
“We believe that all developer applications for SDOs should be suspended and put through the regular planning process to ensure that vital questions about the benefits of development are answered. Our concerns stem from the fact that there is increasingly less respect for our planning system, with the PLP Government being the worst culprit.”
Although there’s been no public announcement or post to the Official Gazette, the statement from the Opposition MP assumes Government politicians have already decided the fate of Southlands.
“We are particularly concerned because the Southlands scheme, with a decision pending on its application for an SDO, appears to be a fait accompli, with deals already agreed behind closed doors.
“The public is simply being set up for the announcement,” Mr. Simons said.
The Cabinet Committee on Special Hotel Development has given its “endorsement” to the Southlands project, according to developers in a letter to the Department of Planning.
The Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield sits on that committee along with other members of Cabinet.
However, the Ministry Permanent Secretary has indicated Ms Butterfield abstained from the sub-committee’s discussions on Southlands and its subsequent endorsement.
The statement from Mr. Simons also raises concerns about the influx of foreign workers and its impact on the country as well as the loss of open space in Warwick. He also said: “Right now it seems that the interests of big business and the PLP’s pre-election needs are driving this project, with the people of Bermuda mere bystanders.”
