Planning process needs 'major overhaul'

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1: The final say on planning appeals must be taken away from Ministers to restore public confidence in the system.

That was the view of Senator Michael Fahy as he set out his party’s environmental priorities.

The OBA’s Shadow Minister for Environment and Housing said the planning process needed a ‘major overhaul’ following the resignation of former Environment Minister Walter Roban last November.

Mr Roban stepped down after it emerged he had upheld two controversial planning appeals that involved fellow Ministers just before he left the Ministry.

Mr Fahy told the Bermuda Sun more needed to be done to encourage greener developments.

Mr Fahy added: “I have a big bugbear on planning.

“It’s the way in which the planning decisions are seen to be made and the way that those two appeals were dealt with by Mr Roban – it just doesn’t look good.

“The system needs to be changed so Ministers can not be left open to that sort of criticism. The process has to be transparent and open if it is to be trusted by the public.

“I don’t think a Minister should have the final say in planning appeals. It should be an independent board.

“But if he or she does then they need to provide full reasons for a decision.

“This is all the more vital when the Minister goes against the recommendation of an independent inspector. It should not just be a scribble at the bottom of the appeal application.”

The Senator told the Sun that reviewing the planning laws would be right at the top of his list of priorities should the OBA be elected as the country’s next government.

He said the Opposition would support tougher penalties for night farming as well as illegal dumping.

And he said the OBA would slash the Government vehicle fleet in a bid to save energy and money.

Mr Fahy said: “Government has to set an example and in many areas this has simply not happened.”

He added: “Doing more to encourage construction on brown field sites is probably number two on that list of priorities.

“There is still too much development on untouched, virgin land like portions of the Grand Atlantic Development while areas that have been developed on before remain an eyesore like Sonesta Beach and Morgan’s Point.

“Sonesta is a disgrace to look at and Morgan’s Point has serious issues with regards pollutants that were left over.

“First and foremost though these areas need to be cleaned up.

“They can be developed on again but nothing has happened on them for years and Government has to play its part.

“Although the empty hotel sites are privately owned Government can do more to ensure green development and sustainable development in respect of large scale projects.

Flabbergasted

“Then there is Southlands. I am still flabbergasted that it has not be turned into a National Park as was promised by Government several years ago. It just seems to have been another forgotten promise.

“We have to give priority to preserving our open spaces while ensuring that sustainable developments that benefit Bermuda are allowed to flourish in the right locations.”

A Government spokesman said: “Concerning the Morgan’s Point site remediation, the Government is proceeding with a structured plan set out and executed in accordance with Government rules for good governance. 

“This is the only way to undertake the remediation in an effective and economically prudent manner. 

“There is a timetable set out in the Agreement with the developer and in the Morgan’s Point Act. Government is committed to compliance with this timetable and we have every confidence that this can and will be achieved.”

A glut of so-called ‘affordable housing’ is not helping islanders most in need of homes.

That’s the view of Senator Michael Fahy who has pledged to create a purpose built facility for Bermuda’s poorest.

The facility would provide housing for those with drug and alcohol problems and there would be counsellors on site.

Mr Fahy said: ‘We have a glut of more affordable housing.

“But Government has failed to provide housing for those that can not afford so called ‘affordable housing’.

“We would build a purpose-built facility for those type of individuals.

“It would be secure and have on site drug treatment counsellors, housing officers, employment counsellors and other social service officers to help tackle the root causes of the problems.

“You measure yourself as a society by how those with the least are treated.

“The Southside facility is just not up to scratch in our view.

“And to see people living in caves and on beaches in Bermuda is simply not acceptable.”

Central fish markets could be the best way of protecting the island’s water reserves in the long run.

Senator Michael Fahy believes the weekly markets would allow fisheries’ officers to get a clearer idea of what is being taken from the sea on a day-to-day basis.

It would also prevent unlicensed fishermen benefitting at the expense of the licensed community.

He told the Bermuda Sun that the OBA would fully support making Bermuda’s waters a marine reserve to protect the stocks from foreign fishing trawlers as well as boosting tourism.

Mr Fahy said: “We have to ensure the fisheries industry is sustainable and it is difficult at present for fisheries
officers to get a real idea of the daily catch.

“It relies on self reporting largely.

“The solution is a central fishing market where fishermen are required to bring in their catch.

“This could be held in the East End one week and the West End one week.

“It might have a downside culturally — in that we would not see people selling their fish by the side of the road but it would be more sustainable in the long run.”

Special Development Orders have to be subjected to a higher level of public scrutiny, according to Senator Michael Fahy.

The OBA Shadow Minister said the controversial planning orders still had a role to play in Bermuda.

But he called for independent panels to be appointed to review the reasons for SDOs.

Mr Fahy said that proceedings in Parliament, including the debate of SDOs, should be televised to give islanders a clearer understanding of way the House worked.

He said: “SDOs still have a place in Bermuda and it is not something we as a party would get rid of completely.

“But the debates on them should be televised so the public can see what is being said so the process is seen as being open and understandable.

“They need to be better controlled.

“There is also a need also to have an independent panel that would review the reasons for the SDO.

“A Parliamentary Committee could scrutinize on televised proceedings like in the UK.”