OBA & Minister’s Statement On Planning Decision
The OBA has called on the Minister to facilitate approval for a new seniors’ residential facility after the Development Applications Board rejected an application for the redevelopment of Channel House, and the Minister said he will prioritise the review of the submission to “make a swift determination” and he has “every intention of seeing this project move forward without unnecessary delay.”
OBA’s statement:
An OBA spokesperson said, “Shadow Minister for Youth, Social Development and Seniors, Linda Smith, is calling on the Minister of the Cabinet and Digital Innovation, The Hon. Diallo Rabain, to facilitate approval for a new 45-bedroom seniors’ residential facility.
“This coming after the Development Applications Board rejected an application for the redevelopment of Channel House on Longfield Road, in Southside.”
Ms Smith says, “The urgent need for senior care facilities is at a crisis point, which is a major contributor to the lack of available beds at KEMH as patients medically fit to leave have nowhere to go. We also know that there are often long wait lists for spaces at the island’s care homes. We desperately need appropriate facilities for our seniors.”
The spokesperson said, “In a split vote, the DAB rejected an application to convert a large office building into a residential facility for seniors. While recognising the urgent need for residential care facilities the DAB said the application went against a policy of the Bermuda Plan 2018 relating to mixed use zones.
“The building, which has been vacant for an extended time, previously housed government offices. The DAB’s rejection of the application noted that its previous use was commercial, and policy requires that the reuse include some level of commercial activity on the ground floor.
“A similar DAB rejection for repurposing the former BLDC Head Office, Triton House, for residential use was overturned by the former Minister of the Cabinet in February, who at the time referred to the urgent need for affordable housing. Ms. Smith said the same urgent consideration should be given to seniors.”
Minister Diallo Rabain’s statement:
The Minister for Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation Diallo Rabain explained, “The public and this Government fully understand the urgent need for quality senior care facilities in Bermuda.”
“To that end, the application for this project was submitted on March 5, 2025. Immediately upon receipt, and due to the project’s importance, the Department of Planning expedited the application to obtain a DAB decision, which was made on April 2, 2025.
“Once the applicant submits an application for appeal, I will prioritise my review of the submission to make a swift determination in accordance with the Appeal Procedure Rules. I have every intention of seeing this project move forward without unnecessary delay.
“That said, this case also highlights a broader issue with the rigidity of existing planning policy in the 2018 Bermuda Plan. When applications with clear benefits, no detrimental planning impacts and social value — like housing for our seniors — are supported by the Department of Planning but blocked by technical policy constraints, it becomes clear that change is needed.
“Pending the wider review of the 2018 Plan, legislative amendments will be advanced to ensure that developments in the public interest don’t become hostage to procedural red tape in the future. These changes will allow the planning system to respond more effectively and pragmatically without sacrificing accountability or standards.
“While others are quick to comment, we are focused on delivering tangible outcomes — both for this project and for the future of planning in Bermuda.”
Good! Let’s get a move on with this. The hospital is overwhelmed and can’t take care of its patients properly. That is why the going saying now is” Make sure you watch over your loved one , ‘cause the hospital isn’t “ There is a reputation about the lack of nurses and supplies at the hospital, and it is bad! Been living it, I know!
We BADLY NEED CARE FACILITIES ON THIS ISLAND!!! Those 6 members on the DAB who opposed , opened a can of worms! When are we Bermudians ever going to stop shooting ourselves in the legs??…….
Seniors, the people most in need of emergency medical attention, will get a residence far away from the hospital where help will be an hour away from the time the call is made until they roll in the door at the hospital.
Makes perfect sense to this Government. Oh, and there is also that little unnerving thing of jet noise. The older you get, the less tolerance you have for noise.
How many surplus schools are there in the central parishes that are suitable for conversion?
SENIORS and ware house for real old people.
I was just wondering what kind of movies have you all been watching ? THE MATRIX. !
Every day that passes is one day closer to to an older persons end life . Is that so ?
same goes for the rest of you.
No body is going to stop the clock.
Next please ,no pushing an shoving ,stay in line .
In modern times where it all goes wrong , not all senior visit the last days over come with .
with age.
O.P.A. Other People Aflictions gets them.
Put all those people in the ” same building” they will catch one anothers aflictions .
The less sponges you have come to visit you the longer you will live .
They have a parting gift for you.
The secret to long life is soap !
Year ago a family served their elderly resident only soup i was apaled till found out all that person could eat was soup.
With age comes wisdon ,many are still waiting !
Mother will say think before you speak ! she never did that !
Covid 19 was 99% guarenteed Pneumonia is another on the hit list .
Far too many young people never get to old age some also die from O.P.A .
One way to avoid medical thansmission is isolation.
Lefroy house was an isolation hospital during WW11.
The cures were waiting to be invented . Soap !
Some of you must have a short memory on the covid issue ,you get that not knowing you got it.
For hundreds a years there were no fancy rest homes, family took care of family to day it would apear that our young peoole are looking to the day of the reading of the will in my case each one may not !
It would appear that our young people are talking / spin the tale about wanting a” ware house “for the elderly.