Government has shelved plans to develop Morgan?s Point, the former US Naval annex in Southampton, for tourism, Tourism Minister Renee Webb has revealed.

But she said she is battling within Cabinet to have the huge land mass re-assigned for tourism so it can be developed as a world class golf, marine, leisure and housing complex.

The United Bermuda Party greeted the news with alarm, saying it was a golden opportunity which has been lost.

And the UBP said there was now complete confusion about Government?s intentions for Morgan?s Point as the policy had changed several times in the past few months.

Ms Webb told the public forum on tourism last week: ?As far as I know, for me, Morgan?s Point is off the table.

?I will continue to lobby to get it on the table because I agree it should be a world class multi-facility entertainment centre with a world class golf course.

?It would be an idea, but so far, it is off the table. I?ve raised the question (in Cabinet). Will it get back on the table? I hope so.?

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell, who was a panellist at the forum, told : ?We were surprised.

?(Works and Engineering Minister) Terry Lister recently said it would be made into housing, and that appeared to be without Cabinet approval.

?He reversed that and said it would be one consideration, and now it has gone 180 degrees back again.

?We support the concept of a tourism development, and that was certainly borne out by the comments from the audience at the public forum.

?There was no single negative comment made about that kind of concept. We have lost a golden opportunity and real need.?

Opposition Leader Dr Grant Gibbons said: ?There have been two or three changes to policy in the last month. The issue is that we would like come kind of clarification. With two or three policy changes Government doesn?t seem to know where it is going.

?It would be useful to have a clear indication as to what is in line for Morgan?s Point, which has effectively lain fallow for the last five years and it is a huge operating cost.?

In October, Mr. Lister announced that Morgan?s Point was to become the Island?s fourth residential hub ? a ?small town? ? after Government had given up on plans for a leisure complex.

The statement drew criticism, and last month, Government?s Department of Communication and Information Services, was forced to issue a statement ?clarifying? Mr. Lister?s comments.

The statement said: ?The Minister wishes to emphasise that this is but one of but many options to be considered for Morgan?s Point.

?He further emphasises that the Government does not intend to move on any option regarding Morgan?s Point until it has considered all viable options.

?To this end, Minister Lister has asked the Department of Planning to prepare a number of options that he can present to Cabinet for its consideration and ultimate decision. Minister Lister clarified that at this point in time no options have been discarded, and all reasonable options must be considered.?

A number of developers had hoped to transform the 250-acre site into golf, leisure housing and marina complexes, but the cost of cleaning up the asbestos and petroleum contamination has been a sticking point.

The negotiations have dragged on and the plans have collapsed as Government could not reach a deal with any of the developers.