Approval Granted For Seniors Residential Facility
Minister for the Cabinet Office & Digital Innovation Diallo Rabain has approved the appeal for the development of a seniors’ residential facility at the former Channel House site in Southside.
A Government spokesperson said, “This decision follows the Development Applications Board’s [DAB] initial refusal based on the Bermuda Plan 2018′s requirement for ground-floor commercial activity in Mixed-Use zones. This policy limited the project despite its clear public value.”
“The approval of the Channel House facility is a positive and necessary step for seniors’ care in Bermuda,” said Minister Rabain. “I want to thank the team at the Department of Planning for moving this application through the system as quickly as possible, even within the limits of the current policy framework.”
Minister Rabain emphasised that “while policies are important, they must not get in the way of good projects.”
He said, “Sometimes, even well-intentioned rules can slow down progress. That’s why I’m working closely with the Department of Planning to update and streamline the process, so future applications like this don’t face the same delays.
“In May I will outline reforms to make our planning system faster, fairer, and more supportive of responsible development. That includes ensuring that if a project has community value and professional backing, it can be approved, without needing to be rejected first.”
Minister Rabain also pointed to other recent appeal decisions, including one for the proposed Sankofa Hotel on Victoria Street, as part of a broader pattern: “These are not isolated cases. They show why change is needed, and that change is coming.”
“The Premier has tasked me with improving the planning system, and that’s what I intend to do. We are here to support good builders, not hold them back. The Department of Planning plays a key role, and we will continue working together to make sure the system is more responsive and works better for Bermuda.”
I hope the plan includes a complete gut job. The place is full of toxic mold. I wouldn’t want my dog living there let alone my granny.
“I hope the plan includes a complete gut job. The place is full of toxic mold.”
The Government cannot find the money to fix The Old Town Hall on Front Street. Why would you think it will find the money to fix Channel House, which is considerably larger?
It’s called priorities and seniors’ housing is a bit more of a priority.
Are you suggesting that providing for seniors is more important than balancing our cheque book?
“Minister Rabain also pointed to other recent appeal decisions, including one for the proposed Sankofa Hotel on Victoria Street”
But Sankofa House is the old Victoria Hall. Where will all the employees of the digital currency/digital asset businesses go?
Great decision and i can’t wait to see this come to fruition. I only hope that it happens with expedience and not become a long drawn out project, though I do understand that for the purposes it may need significant modifications.