Plans to build on farmland as part of the Pink Beach redevelopment have been rejected by the Development Applications Board.

Sardis Development Ltd had sought permission to erect ten residential units, a sewage treatment facility and parking spaces on agriculture reserve land on the Smith’s property, drawing criticism from neighbours and the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST).

According to the planning application submitted late last year, the residential units were intended to “support the viability” of its $51.4 million hotel project, which would feature a new 34-room boutique hotel.

The redeveloped site would also include six guest condominiums, two guest suites and a large home in addition to hotel amenities such as two restaurants and spa facilities.

Documents included in the application state that the proposed units would be available for rent in the local housing market and managed by the hotel, with residents having access to the hotel’s restaurants and services.

The developers had argued that the agricultural plot was “below average quality” and had become a dumping ground for vehicle parts.

In exchange for permission to build on the 39,654 square feet of land, they offered to expand woodlands reserve and coastal reserve areas on the property by 98,920 square feet.

While BEST applauded the developer’s intention of revitalising Pink Beach as a tourism site, they objected to the use of the agricultural land saying that comments about the quality of the plot was a red herring.

According to a Board Report by a technical officer, the Department of Conservation Services and the Board of Agriculture also expressed concerns about the use of the plot, with Conservation Services saying that much of the Island’s agriculture reserves are not used for cultivation due to land owners passively or actively discouraging farmers from using the plots.

A total of three formal objections were received by the Planning Department, all supporting the redevelopment in principle but voicing concerns about the use of the plot.

The technical officer recommended that the DAB refuse the application, stating the use of the agricultural reserve was in breach of the 2008 Bermuda Plan and was not considered warranted given that alternative locations for development exist outside the reserve.

During a meeting of the DAB on February 4, the technical officer confirmed to the board that the developer has considered alternative locations, but still wished to develop on the farmland. The DAB subsequently refused the application, supporting the recommendations of the Department of Planning.