Minister Roban’s Statement on Tucker’s Point

[Updated with video] This afternoon [Feb 4] Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Walter Roban spoke at a press conference in reference to the planned development at Tucker’s Point Hotel, saying that “the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy would also like to pledge its support for this development project through the provision of a Special Development Order.”

Minister Roban went on to say that “SDO’s are regarded, by their critics, as a way to circumvent the normal planning process, but they are, in fact, an important tool for the Minister to respond to strategic, national issues and to the development needs of the day.”

“The Tucker’s Point Resort Residential Development is one of those developments which urgently needs an SDO. I wish to highlight that the Ministry is handling this in an extremely transparent manner, including; tabling it in the Legislature for debate; and granting In Principle Approval only, rather than Final Approval, thereby requiring the developer to satisfy the Department of Planning before Final Approval is granted.”

Minister Roban’s full remarks follow below:

Good Afternoon Everyone,

‘Thank you’ Minister Minors for getting right to the heart of the matter: this hotel development is indeed a National Priority.

And as such, the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy would also like to pledge its support for this development project through the provision of a Special Development Order (or SDO).

SDOs are used to achieve a national priority that could not otherwise be met under the regular Planning Regime. They are not aberrations; they are duly provided for in our legislation.

Under Section 15 of the Development and Planning Act 1974, the Minister (being the Minister “responsible for planning”) has the authority to make an SDO that grants planning permission for a development as specified in such Order.

An SDO enables the Minister to respond to development needs that are of strategic, national importance or priority, and for which the Development Applications Board does not have the authority to grant planning permission.

The key is how we use them.

SDO’s are regarded, by their critics, as a way to circumvent the normal planning process, but they are, in fact, an important tool for the Minister to respond to strategic, national issues and to the development needs of the day.

The Tucker’s Point Resort Residential Development is one of those developments which urgently needs an SDO.

I wish to highlight that the Ministry is handling this in an extremely transparent manner, including; tabling it in the Legislature for debate; and granting In Principle Approval only, rather than Final Approval, thereby requiring the developer to satisfy the Department of Planning before Final Approval is granted.

I also want to underscore the very stringent conditions that have been attached to this particular SDO – conditions that are designed to balance the economic needs of hotel development with the environmental needs of Bermuda.

Environmentally, Tucker’s Point is very important, containing important woodland areas and habitats of national significance with one of the highest percentages of native and endemic tree species per acre. The contiguous woodland areas on the property are among the largest on the Island and it is home to the last stand of mature native Yellow Wood trees in Bermuda and provides the seed source to propagate the recovery of this species. The property also contains extensive cave systems due to its karst geology and these systems are only partially surveyed.

The Department of Planning, the Department of Conservation Services and the Sustainable Development Unit have all contributed to the definition of the conditions attached to this SDO.

For example: all 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 for terrestrial development potential considerations. All mapped caves, cave features and new caves will require a minimum setback buffer of 30 feet for all structures and excavation.

Additionally, any identified critical habitat or existing mature specimen endemic, native or ornamental plants must be recorded; and these 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% will be applied to each proposed lot.

The majority of areas subject to this Order will require a Conservation Management Plan prepared on an area wide basis.

Additionally, as a compensatory measure, Mangrove Lake together with two areas comprising 7.45 acres and 1.64 acres respectively on the western and northwestern sides of White Crest Hill, are proposed to be donated to the Government for conservation management purposes.

In closing, I want to thank the technical teams at the Departments of Planning and Conservation Services for their careful attention to issues that had to be addressed. The conditions crafted in this Order have been done with the benefit of their advice, knowledge and expertise to ensure an effective balance between development and environmental interests. We are all sensitive to the special nature of many areas within Castle Harbour and this specially crafted SDO goes very far to satisfy this priority.

Thank you.

#Construction #HotelNews #TuckersPointHotel

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