Plans for the South Basin Marina — the hub of operations for the 2017 America’s Cup — have been submitted for planning approval.

The application, submitted by South Basin Development on December 2, proposes a reclamation of the South Basin using sheet pile walls and infill.

The project would also include a marina, offices and service area, along with parking, access roads and utilities.

A letter from Andrew Dias, the Wedco general manager, included in the application, states that the quango is both the owner of the property and a shareholder in the developer.

“The West End Development Company fully support this application,” he wrote. “The Marine facility will ultimately provide the new premises for Government Department of Marine and Ports, a new and modern boatyard facility for the provision of services to the Bermudian public and visiting yachts, as well as a marine school to provide educational services to the marine industry.”

According to the application, the proposal would involve the reclamation of around 11 acres inside the southeastern corner of the existing breakwater, creating a gravel surfaced “island”. The fill area would cover the majority of Cross Island. but an existing building on the island will remain untouched.

On the fill area, the plan includes a boat yard with multiple dry storage racks, two parking areas, a marina office building, a building to house the Marine and Ports offices and a larger service building also earmarked for the department.

The fill area will also include a dock specifically for tugs and ferries. The northern side of the breakwater would house a marina with 68 berths.

Documents included with the planning application state that the plan was presented to the Cabinet and Parliament this August and was approved. The documents also state that the project is linked to the North Channel Modification Project, which proposes widening the north channel to allow larger cruise ships to visit Dockyard. Spoils from the channel widening would be used in the fill at the marina, saving costs as the spoils would not have to be taken out to sea.

“[The] timing of these two projects is such that this is the best viable solution of how to dispose of the dredged spoils for the greatest benefit of Bermuda,” the study said.

According to an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) included with the application, the original proposal would have extended further south, but the decision was made to relocate to inside the breakwater to reduce the potential environmental impact.

Regarding the area that will be impacted by the project, the EIS states: “Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to prevent the loss of ecological habitats as a result of the land reclamation. Those sessile communities such as seagrasses will be lost, while those such as turtles and fish will migrate away from the area.

“On the other hand, many of the new structures associated with the construction of the marina will attract new ecology and fish communities.

“It should be noted that similar habitats to this is present within 50 to 100m just outside the South Basin breakwater and provides for the migration and relocation of the more transitory species.”

Both the planning application and the EIS are available online at the Department of Planning website.