Tucker's Point SDO debate to be 'robust'

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13: There will be a 'robust' debate in Parliament about the Tucker's Point plan.

This from the Minsitry  of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy which took issue to claims made last week by Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB) regarding the proposed Tucker’s Point Special Development Order (SDO).

In a statement to the media in CURB said: “We are aware of the many residents in the East End of the Island who are upset that this SDO might go ahead; that this area, once the home for centuries to a majority of Black Bermudians, and which was forcibly taken away from them, will be the scene of money-making activity yet again.  
“CURB views this proposed SDO as a slap in the face to the original residents and their descendants.”

The Government would like to stress that is very mindful of Bermuda’s history and the legacies that continue to this day. 

Its efforts to create a new social balance that brings equity to all Bermudians are the foundations of its numerous programmes and policies. 

Therefore, it is not clear from the CURB release how the grant of an SDO for the development of the land is “a slap in the face to the original residents and their descendants”. 

Bermuda’s sustainability requires a balanced appreciation and attention to not only our environmental history and future, but also our economic and social history and future. 

Therefore, the Government’s efforts to enhance our tourism product are designed with our environmental, economic and social needs in mind. 

Contrary to the CURB statement, this Government is providing an opportunity for Parliament and the public to participate fully in an open and robust debate before this SDO is granted. 

Government urges all interested persons to read the Order, available from the Clerk to the Legislature, in order to participate from an informed position. 

Upon reading the Order, persons will recognize that the Government has taken into consideration the particular environmental sensitivities of the area proposed for development. 

Following extensive consultations with the Department of Planning, the Department of Conservation Services, and the Sustainable Development Unit, stringent conditions must be met prior to Final Planning Approval being granted. 

Some of those conditions include: 

·        that any identified critical habitat or existing mature specimen endemic, native or ornamental plants must be recorded;

·         such sites and plants must be protected and provided with an adequate setback buffer;

·         a landscape principle of 40% endemics, 30% Natives, 20% non-invasive ornamentals and 10% of any combination of these will be applied to each proposed lot to be developed;

·         the majority of areas subject to this Order will require a Conservation Management Plan prepared on an area wide basis;

·         any existing or newly discovered cave features on the proposed development sites will require a subterranean topographical survey be completed by a qualified cave survey specialist to geo-reference the cave voids;

·         all mapped caves, cave features and new caves will require a minimum setback buffer of 30 feet for all structures and excavation;

·         all development must be designed with shallow tanks of minimum below existing grade depths of no greater than three-foot depth finished level and four-foot maximum excavation grade;

·         no excavation will exceed four feet due to potential contact and impact with known or unknown cave systems and any required sewage trenching deeper than four feet must rely on test boreholes to demonstrate that such trenching works will not compromise an undiscovered cave. 

In addition, and as a part of the normal planning process, the developer’s application for Final Approval will be advertised and open for public comment and objection.  All these factors must occur prior to Final Approval being considered. 

This Government has launched a new era in the process for granting Special Development Orders.  Planning permission via a Special Development Order, a legitimate means to authorize development under the Development and Planning Act 1974, will only be considered for developments deemed to be of national importance.  Enhancement of our tourism product is deemed to be such a development. 

The SDO will be considered fully by Parliament and the public, and granted only after being subject to parliamentary scrutiny and given approval by Parliament.