Residents are pouring cold water on plans for a beach bar at Warwick Long Bay, describing it as an environmental "travesty".

Applicant Belcario Thomas however, says the 'Sandbar' will follow expert guidance in its design to make it as sensitive to the environment as possible.

Mr. Thomas, the events' organiser behind Unite, said: "At the moment our architects are diligently following advice and direction on best practice from Government conservationists and environmental experts to ensure that it is as environmentally-friendly as possible."

Residents of the neighbouring Frith Estate, opposite Warwick Long Bay, have expressed concerns about noise, parking overflow and damage to the pristine beachfront. The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) has also urged more information on the planning application, which is described as a 'Proposed wooden deck for a temporary concession'.

The 'Sandbar' would be set on 2,500 sq ft of wooden decking at the bottom of the Warwick Long Bay (West) car park - an area designated as both open space and a National Park. If approved, it could have a lease of up to five years.

Agents Entasis Architecture, in a letter to Planning, said: "The application proposes to use the deck as a platform to accommodate chairs, loungers and tables with umbrellas, etc. and a serving station for the purposes of serving food and beverages, with music. Food will be delivered pre-prepared.

"The serving station, tables, etc. will be removable. The applicant anticipates operating this facility on a temporary seasonal basis probably between May and November.

"Discussions are currently underway re: the provision of mains electric and water services. The applicant also wishes to supplement the existing public restrooms with a 'Port-a-loo'-type trailer which would be parked next to the restrooms for the duration of the operating season.

"The applicant has the in-principle support from the Department of Tourism and the Parks Department (Craig A. Burt) and has received encouragement from the Government for a previous idea for a venture of this nature in another location."

In a letter to Planning on May 31 last year, Premier and Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown gave his backing to a similar application by Mr. Thomas for a bar at Elbow Beach. The proposed development however, was rejected.

Dr. Brown said: "I'd like to offer my enthusiastic support behind what is sure to be an enticing new offering to our tourism product in this beach bar concept on Elbow Beach. This venture will certainly make the Bermuda experience even more memorable.

"It provides an idyllic, safe ambience on one of Bermuda's most popular and centrally located beaches."

BEST chairman Stuart Hayward, said more public information was needed. "There is no definition of a 'beach bar' and the vagueness could apply equally to a nightclub or snack bar," he said, in a letter to Planning.

"Without a clear and detailed description of the planned activities, the neighbours are effectively denied information on which to base their own reaction to the proposal.

"In viewing the application there is not enough information for us to make an authoritative assessment of the proposal and its potential impacts."

Among the letters of objection, Maureen Callanan of Frith Estate said: "It is a travesty to ruin one of the most pristine and ecologically beautiful areas of our Island with a structure of any kind."

Erin Jackson added: "I am an 18-year-old Bermudian and I am appalled at the idea of a building of any kind tainting the natural beauty of Warwick Long Bay."

Sandys resident Judie Clee wrote: "As a Bermudian it is my sincere hope that planning application P0203/08 will be denied in the interest of preserving Bermuda's few remaining open spaces and national parklands in a pristine and unspoiled state."