Tucker's Point fight shifts to Senate

The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) has handed out information packs, in the hope of blocking the Special Development Order (SDO) in the Upper House.

The draft SDO to expand the resort was approved by MPs in the early hours of yesterday by 21 votes to 10.

Stuart Hayward, BEST chairman, described the results as “disappointing”.

“There’s a feeling of dismay, especially as there hasn’t been an established vehicle yet for the Government to get the feedback of the public. There were no public meetings to explain what was going on, or a website where people could e-mail,” he said.

“People are upset about this decision, due to the social history of the area and the conversion of protected coastal and woodland areas to residential zonings.

“People are unhappy that areas protected on behalf of the public are being used to bail out Tucker’s Point, to protect them from defaulting on their loan.”

Mr. Hayward added: “I was disappointed by some of the arguments being put forward. There was talk that if Tucker’s Point went into receivership then all the jobs would be lost.

“Well they could be, but not likely. Newstead went into receivership and as far as I know no jobs have gone there.

“Another argument was that if it goes into receivership then it will send a message to the international community that Bermuda is not in the tourism business. The fact is, that word is already out.

“If Tucker’s Point does go into receivership, then that will send a better message than the one at the moment — that they can’t pay their loans without destroying part of the environment, an environment they depend on for tourism.

“There was also the argument the SDO will impose more stringent conditions. The Bermuda Plan 2008 imposed even more stringent zonings, and but they are being overturned by the SDO.”

Mr. Hayward said information packs given to Senators would “allow them to be more fully informed about the issue”.

If the draft SDO is rejected, it goes back to the Lower House.

If approved, it heads to Planning. But the developers must still then apply for final planning approval, with the public invited to object along the way.

Mr. Hayward said BEST would campaign further.

“A protest is possible, but that’s not really our style. This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. The issues are not simple and we will work at educating and informing both the public and legislators, until something moves.”

A coalition of environmental groups and historical societies are organizing a walk this Sunday to educate the public about the proposed areas of development.

The final details were being determined last night.

An online petition calling on Government to rescind the SDO topped 750 signatures yesterday.

The operators of Tucker’s Point, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, say expansion is needed to secure its future financial viability.

Government says the five star resort’s future is important to Bermuda’s tourism product.

But Allan Marshall, UBP candidate for Hamilton South — the site of the proposed development, described the passing of the SDO as “a national disgrace and embarrassment… Bermuda will now lose forever one of its few remaining woodland reserve areas, and for what? To allow a company to sell off 70-plus high-end residential building lots with the proceeds used to pay off a bank loan.”

He said: “For the Minister and the other MPs , who supported this SDO, to suggest that saving Tucker’s Point (TP) is in our national interest, is both insincere and a national embarrassment.