Residents were furious last night after learning Government has approved a controversial plan to allow a church to build a two-story car park.
Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield has given First Church of God Bishop Vernon Lambe the green light for the project on North Shore Road, Pembroke East.
Neighbours are so angry they are thinking about challenging the decision in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile there is some confusion over the response of MPs Wayne Perinchief and Nelson Bascome to Ms Butterfield's decision, which affects residents of two PLP strongholds.
A Government press release issued earlier in the day said the two MPs had met recently with Bishop Lambe and other church leaders to discuss the plan, but Mr. Bascome told the Bermuda Sun until he had had a chance to meet with his constituents, he was still officially an objector.
And at press time last night, Government attempted to retract the release, saying it was "erroneous."
Resident Janet Francis, who describes herself as a lifelong PLP supporter, said she would not be voting for the Party at the next general election.
She is among several neighbours, many of them living on Crane Lane, who have been battling Rev. Lambe's church expansion plans for years.
He is senior pastor of First Church of God and was chairman of the now defunct Bermuda Independence Commission.
Bishop Lambe has strong ties with the PLP leadership-Premier Ewart Brown has spoken of attending his church from time to time.
Neighbours were unable to stop construction of the church, which is believed to be Bermuda's largest with seating for 900, but when Bishop Lambe applied to build a two-storey car park two years ago, more than 80 people in the neighbourhood lodged objections.
Rev. Lambe admitted in his application that his plan did not comply with planning regulations, but asked the Development Applications Board (DAB) to relax its rules and approve the project "because of the good deed the church is doing for Bermuda as a whole".
The DAB turned down the application in October 2005 and later that month, First Church appealed its decision to the Environment Minister.
First Church subsequently made revisions to its plans, but 70 of the original 80 objectors stood firm.
Ms Butterfield made her decision on April 27 and informed all the parties including the objectors of her decision by mail.
She gave no reasons for her decision, but said she had dispensed with the services of a planning inspector, who is usually brought in from overseas to review the plan and give recommendations in advance of the Minister making a decision.
Mrs. Francis, who lives at Crane Lane, told the Bermuda Sun yesterday: "I am very upset and very annoyed that the Minister would give permission for something like this. We've been forgotten. We are the forgotten people."
Another neighbour, Mr. Smith, who did not want us to use his first name, said he was "floored" when he received the letter with Ms Butterfield's decision in the mail.
Mr. Smith said the car park would create more congestion and noise in an already overcrowded neighbourhood. He said Bishop Lambe had been unwilling to work with residents of Crane Lane to solve one of their pressing problems, making the narrow road wider so give emergency vehicles access.
He said neither Bishop Lambe nor Ms Butterfield would have to contend with a two-storey parking lot where they live.
"When Lambe goes home, the parking lot will still be in my face," he said. "The parking lot is not in her (Ms Butterfield's) face."
Mrs. Francis said: "I was a PLP supporter, but since they have been in power, they have changed my mind. I don't like what they are doing to this island."
Mrs. Francis said after she received Ms Butterfield's letter on Thursday, she telephoned Mr. Perinchief, who is Community and Cultural Affairs Minister, and the MP for the area where the church is located, and Nelson Bascome, the MP for the adjoining constituency.
Mrs. Francis said she spoke to Mr. Perinchief on Monday, and he told her he was very upset by the decision.
The "erroneous" Government press release said Mr. Perinchief and Mr. Bascome had met "recently" with Bishop Vernon Lambe and other church leaders and were told that most of the neighbours' concerns had been met.
Mr. Perinchief did not return phone calls from the Bermuda Sun, but Mr. Bascome confirmed the meeting with church leaders had taken place on Friday.
Mr. Bascome, who was one of the 70 objectors, said he would not be signing off on Ms Butterfield's decision until he has had a chance to meet with his constituents. "I haven't received a letter," he said. "Until then, I am still listed as an objector."
Bishop Lambe could not be reached for comment yesterday, but according to the file at the planning, he argued, through his agent Michael Emery, that the parking lot was the "most practical solution to address the concerns of the church and the residents of the area."
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Comment by:
Humbly
With their usual 'bullyboy' tactics, I'm sure the church will say its 'God's Will' that the carpark be put there - thus guilting and intimidating people into agreeing. Further, it will be a 'miracle' once completed.
Who the hell cares if 80 people objected and will be inconvenienced 24/7 by a monstrosity that will be used 1 day a week.
After all, its 'God's Will'.
Religion is yet again being used as an excuse for inconsiderate behavior.
Humbly
(The Cross Eyed Bear)
