Government was this morning declining to confirm or deny claims that a special development order could be granted to Tucker’s Point for a large-scale housing development on protected land.

BEST chairman Stuart Hayward says his group has “become aware of” a proposal being made to Government for a development that would require a Special Development Order.

He claimed: “The proposal is for a large-scale residential development at Tucker's Point on lands protected by nature conserve, woodland reserve and coastal conserve designations.”

Mr. Hayward said he believed that negotiations for the development were taking place behind closed doors “meaning, the public has not been consulted or given an opportunity to make comment”.

He added: “We have no doubt that the proposal's impacts would be on lands under the highest levels of protection afforded by the Bermuda Plan, including nature reserve, woodland reserve, coastal reserve and cave protection areas. Implementing a housing development on these protected areas would break just about every planning rule there is.”

A spokesman for Ministry of Environment declined to confirm or deny Mr. Hayward's claims.

Full story in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette