A controversial development plan is putting the National Trust — the premier champion of our heritage — under intense scrutiny.
The Bermuda Sun has learned that the Bank of Bermuda began pitching its plan for the Trimingham’s building to the Trust two months before it went to Planning.
Bank CEO Philip Butterfield met with former Trust president Wayne Jackson and director Steve Conway in mid-August.
These revelations, disclosed to the Bermuda Sun this week, raise questions about the way the Trust, which has a mandate to protect and conserve Bermuda’s architectural and environmental heritage, has handled plans by banking giant HSBC, now arguably Bermuda’s most powerful and wealthiest institution.
Following that initial meeting in August, Trust director Steve Conway, on September 14, gave a slide presentation about Trimingham’s proposed new look to a regularly scheduled meeting of the Trust Council (its governing body) at Trust headquarters.
Then in early October, weeks before the bank submitted its plans to the Department of Planning, the bank hosted a meeting for Trust Council members at its Front Street headquarters. Among those attending the meeting were Trust president Hugh Davidson and Paul Leseur, who is both a member of the Council, and deputy chairman of the Bank of Bermuda.
On October 20, the Bank of Bermuda filed plans for the redeveloped building with the Department of Planning, which included a written statement from the National Trust expressing its support for a design that others say contravenes planning regulations and which the Development Applications Board will almost certainly have to reject for that reason.
Even though the bank presented its plans to other organizations, including the Corporation of Hamilton, in a group brainstorming session know as a design charrette, only the Trust has given its support to the proposals.
The Corporation of Hamilton has since objected, along with 22 others, and the Historical Buildings Advisory Committee, a Government advisory body, is expected to oppose the application as well.
Earlier this week, two former Trust presidents David L. White and Patsy Phillips said it was a mistake for the Trust to write a letter of support for the project before it went to planning.
The Bermuda Sun was told this week by a Trust member who is outraged by the Trust’s decision not to fight the development, that the Trust “folded their hands, got spun a yarn and went with it.”
Yesterday, a bank spokesperson, in response to a number of specific questions, said: “We reiterate that the bank’s plans for the site were submitted following an extensive process of consultation with stakeholders, including The Bermuda National Trust, The Historical Building Advisory Committee, The Corporation of Hamilton and the Department of Planning in addition to the charrette process.”
Steve Conway refused to respond to requests for comment about the series of meetings, although he said Mr. Leseur, who sits on the Trust Council and is deputy chairman of the bank board, declared his interest.
Mr. Leseur could not be reached for comment last night.
What do you think? Why did the Trust back the bank plan? E-mail the editor: tmcwilliam@bermudasun.bm
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, November 25, 2005
Comment by:
Ebbin
I continue to be disappointed with “special interest plays” as it relates to development in Bermuda. This has occurred under the UBP's watch and now under the PLP's watch. Unfortunately, the PLP have become the old UBP, but their bed partners are not sleeping babies. I am convinced that HSBC has very little interest in maintaining Bermuda's environment; merely their own status; neither do I believe there's a real business need to consolidate offices... two eyesores by the same company. As an investment, what is the justification? Worst, this is symbolic of the true state of affairs in Bermuda. Sold out, big business rules! I am ashamed that Philip Butterfield, as a Bermudian, believes that Bermuda needs to "look like other big cities". Where has he been or is he blinded by $$$$'s? Let's see him try to advocate such a development like this in a historic part of London, Madrid or Rome. Perhaps he should move back to a "big city". In recent years, grave mistakes are being made which will, in the long run, displace Bermudians from their island. We need to continue to look at the BIG picture and not buckle to special interests! Bermudians with key responsibilities must always be cognizant of the impact of their decisions, not only on themselves, but also for the larger population and, more importantly, Bermuda’s future. Perhaps I am asking too much?
Black and proud; but not a House N..., and keeping my EU passport as an exit strategy as I cannot go back to Africa!
