Tuckers Point Petition: Over 500 Signatures

An online petition objecting to the proposed Special Development Order [SDO] for Tuckers Point Hotel asking that the Bermuda Government reconsider the SDO and “reverse their decision to potentially allow building on this ecologically and culturally sensitive land” has now reached over 500 signatures.

As background the petition states: “The Bermuda Government is seeking to have a Special Development Order (SDO) approved to permit the Tucker’s Point Hotel to expand its current hotel and build additional residences. This is some of the most ecologically sensitive land in Bermuda as there are lands with Nature Conserve, Woodland Reserve and Coastal Conserve designations. It is also a culturally sensitive plot of land as it had once been home to a large number of Black Bermudians and had been taken from them forcibly.” You can sign, or view signatories to the petition here.

The SDO was tabled in the House of Assembly on February 4th. Groups including the Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce [BEST], Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda [CURB], and the Bermuda National Trust have spoke out about their concerns.

Dr. David Wingate spoke on his concerns saying: “The vast majority of these lots will be located on what is presently steep and densely wooded hillsides, guaranteeing that it will be impossible to develop them without deforestation and rock excavation to create level terraces for house foundations. A good portion of the land proposed for subdivision and sale or hotel expansion, specifically Paynter’s Hill and Quarry Hill, lies within the ancient Walsingham geologic formation which is riddled with caves and sink-holes and beautiful pinnacle rock formations on the surface.”

In addition to the environmental concerns, Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda [CURB] have condemned the proposed SDO saying: “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, with 78 residences (starting at $3.2M) and 70 hotel rooms being build across the 240-acre site.

The Planning Ministry has answered criticisms concerning the environmental impact of the proposed exanpsion at Tucker’s Point, saying “stringent conditions” have been attached to the in-principal approval for redevelopment of the property. Both Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Walter Roban and the Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors appeared on CITV’s “In the Know” programme to address public concerns regarding the SDO.

In the near-term, Tucker’s Point would develop and sell single units as part of a three-lot subdivision on Glebe Hill in Hamilton Parish and seven single family home sites on Paynter’s Road, South Road and Harrington Sound Road. Tucker’s Point also seeks approval to develop nine sites of single and attached housing on Paynter’s Hill.

The SDO will likewise enable Rosewood Tucker’s Point Resort & Spa to expand its current 100 guest room inventory [configured as 88 rooms and suites] by 50-70 guest rooms and suites on the adjacent Quarry Hill site. The actual number of additional rooms will depend on geophysical studies of the site and tourism market conditions as the expansion gets under way.

Tucker’s Point’s long-term plan aims to redevelop Whitecrest Hill, which has to date served as the water catchment for the resort, as a Rosewood residential community. It presently has in principle Planning approval to build 42 sites on Whitecrest Hill; the SDO would add to that number by 15 home sites.

A statement from Tucker’s Point said that: “Not only is approval of the SDO critical to the financial viability of Tucker’s Point, it is a condition for finalizing the agreement with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.”

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Category: All, Environment, News