Groups On Proposed Southlands Café & Park
[Updated] The Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Audubon Society and BEST raised concerns over the Southlands café proposal.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda National Trust, the Bermuda Audubon Society and BEST are deeply concerned about the proposed café and car park development outlined for Southlands Park. While investment in Bermuda’s public spaces is essential and a small car park for Southlands in this location is appropriate, this particular application represents a troubling example of overdevelopment, inadequate planning, and disregard for public input.
“Before any new planning application is approved for Southlands—especially one of this scale—the Bermuda Government must fulfill its legal and ethical obligation to present a comprehensive management plan for the entire park. This is not a minor administrative detail; it is a clear requirement of the National Parks Act, which demands cohesive, long-term planning for all designated National Parks. Piecemeal applications undermine public trust and the very foundation of park governance in Bermuda.
“Moreover, this development stands in direct contradiction to feedback received during previous public consultations. At every opportunity, members of the public have emphasized their preference for light touch, conservation-first approaches at Southlands—yet this application proposes substantial infrastructure including:
- A large café structure – 5238 sq ft with potential seating for 120
- 51 car parking spaces
- 76 cycle parking spaces
- 9 minibus and taxi bays
“There is no publicly available business case or park visitation analysis justifying the need for such extensive development, nor any discussion of how these facilities will be maintained long-term.
“Before this application moves forward, the public deserves answers:
- What is the total cost to taxpayers for the planned amenities?
- What is the operational and maintenance model for these facilities?
- What are the concession details and terms for private business use of the café and amenities?
- Has a transparent value analysis been completed to show benefit to Bermuda?
- What assessments have been made on the impact to neighbouring residents and existing local restaurants?
“Equally concerning is the absence of input from the National Parks Commission, a statutory body that ensures that the voices of park users, the Bermuda Tourism Authority and environmental organisations are considered when making decisions about our Parks. The Commission has not been reconvened since the February election and has not had the opportunity to review these plans.
“This proposal is also happening in a broader context of declining park standards island-wide. The Department of Parks is operating with roughly one-third fewer staff than needed, according to previous estimates. Many of Bermuda’s “priority” beaches suffer from broken, unhygienic, and frequently unusable facilities. Surely it makes sense to direct funding to improved and regularly maintained amenities at these sites rather than over-development at Southlands.
“There are also serious concerns about promoting increased used of Southlands Beach. As many people know, it is not a safe swimming beach; it is frequently subject to rip currents and there are many dangerous submerged rocks. An expert safety evaluation should be conducted before even considering encouraging increased use of this shoreline.
“We support investment in public parks—but only when it is guided by strategy, consultation, and ecological responsibility. Southlands is an exceptional green space with unique natural and historical value. It should not be overbuilt to meet unclear or unfounded objectives.
“We urge members of the public to speak out if they agree with us and submit their objections to Planning Application P0157-25 by the 4 July deadline.
“Bermuda does not need more underfunded, overbuilt public parks. What we need is responsible stewardship, transparency, and meaningful investment in the natural spaces we all treasure.”
Update 2.50pm: A Ministry of Public Works of Environment spokesperson said, “The Ministry acknowledges the concerns raised regarding Planning Application P0157-25 for improvements at Southlands Park.
“The application reflects a carefully considered effort to enhance public access and enjoyment of a national amenity that has remained underutilised and largely neglected for more than a decade.
“As part of the development process, the Ministry directly consulted with three key environmental stakeholders: the Bermuda Audubon Society, the Bermuda National Trust, and the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce [BEST].
“These organisations were provided with the initial proposal and invited to participate in virtual meetings during which they shared feedback.
“Their input led to detailed follow-up correspondence and an on-site visit to clarify aspects of the proposed improvements.
“Feedback from these groups resulted in meaningful design changes, including a nearly 50 percent reduction in the café and restroom building footprint, the consolidation of structures, and the relocation of buildings further from sensitive areas such as the cliff face.
“Additionally, the National Parks Commission [NPC] was consulted and provided feedback, which was incorporated into the proposed plan.
“Their feedback, including requests to reduce the building footprint and relocate certain structures, has informed adjustments to the proposal that are now under review. A draft management plan for Southlands has been developed and will support long-term stewardship of the park.
“While the planning application outlines proposed amenities, including a small café and improved access, these represent a modest intervention on a site where built development will account for less than 2.5 percent of the total southern park area.
“The planning process is the appropriate statutory forum for reviewing and refining proposals. Only following that process can final costs, operational models, and concession terms be established appropriately.
“The recently reconvened NPC will also be able to review the submission and provide input. The Ministry believes this proposal marks a significant step toward transforming Southlands into a more vibrant, accessible space for residents and visitors.
“The improvements proposed are consistent with the park’s designation as an Amenity Park and align with wider efforts to ensure Bermuda’s public green spaces are safe, functional, and sustainable.”
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LEAVE OUR PARK SPACE ALONE. We do not need anything in southlands other than what is there. Beautiful trees, lovely shaded paths to walk, no trash, no noise. A Peaceful place. Leave it alone.
Agreed. Southlands does not these type of amenities. It already draws plenty of visitors on a daily basis without all this proposed concrete.
We should be directing our focus on improving and upgrading our other National Parks first !
“Planning Application P0157-25 for improvements at Southlands Park.”
Commercialisation of our public parks is “improvement”?
I understand that our government needs money, but come on!
When is the protest? When will the HOA be shut down? Someone find Tweedle Dee. He is good at such things.
A protest whould show who cares about the future environment for our children and who does not.
The best that one could hope for Southlands is the whole property to be turned over to the National Trust, along with an annual Government grant in the amount that Government would budget for the maintenance of it. The NT would have the buildings restored and a tasteful sustainable use found for them. The community gardens would continue to exist. There would be NO kiddie level zipline through the trees. The park would be what a park is supposed to be. A quiet place respectful of nature, not a mini Six Flags with a tiny beach.
I agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly.
You should inquire with the ineffective weak oba about when they plan to advocate for their weak supporters and protest.
“this proposal marks a significant step toward transforming Southlands into a more vibrant, accessible space for residents and visitors”.
The vast majority of people who visit parks like Southlands want them to be natural, not converted into an amusement park. No need for concrete paths and fancy buildings. Next will be a moto cross track, late night events blasting noise for miles away. Nature has its own vibrancy, leave it alone. There are plenty of existing public spaces that need upgrading, to say nothing about multiple Government owned buildings needing maintenance, before Southlands is destroyed.
Considering that the Bermuda Audubon Society has expressed no opinion on bird-chopping wind turbines, birds which it is supposed to protect, that I have read and no response to my emails on the subject, I find it odd that it has an opinion on business development that generates income, putting food on the table and clothes on people’s backs.
The wind turbines will never happen so all of those birds that can’t seem to hear them from 5 miles away (at night) will be just fine .
The RA took the advice from their consultants, which only cost about $1 million more, to “derisk” the project by increasing the wind farm size to see if any vendors would bite. I hope you are right, but common sense is in short supply in Bermuda. Common sense at the RA would have ended the project right after the public consultation. A leader at the RA would have ended the madness when it was first proposed.
Nahh bring coney island down there that would be good!! Lol
Southlands is treasured by Bermudians. But it’s difficult to imagine that cruise ship passengers would be too interested in it. They have incredible national parks at home that are many times the size of Bermuda. The zipline would also be pretty tame by their standards – they have forests to zipline in, and theme parks at home. There are probably more exciting things to do on the ship than in Southlands. What Bermuda does have to offer them is stunning coastline, aqua ocean and beautiful beaches. We should invest in preserving this natural beauty and offering top class amenities.
A cafe doesn’t have to mean trash, move on people, give us some facilities. Riddells Bay too is crying out for something like this. Parks need to be used.
When is Enough, Enough. Leave the darn park alone. Try completing Morgan’s Point and the other Parks that are neglected. Parks is having trouble keeping the roadsides maintained.
Sorry, Emily, but completing projects is not one of this government’s strengths.