Minister of the Environment Glenn Blakeney has been accused of making a mockery of the planning process by his opposite number after giving the green light to a controversial project in Warwick.

As previously reported, Mr. Blakeney overruled Planning officials in approving a ten-storey housing block for Southlands Ltd in Hunt's Quarry, Warwick.

The housing development was originally intended to house up to 375 workers for the proposed new Southlands resort and other hotel staff.

But it was turned down by the Development Applications Board (DAB) due to "insufficient information" on the mixed-use facility.

Planning officials said the inclusion of warehousing and light industry on the same site was 'incompatible", and that the density of staff housing was excessive.

The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) said last week that Mr. Blakeney's overturning of Planning officials' decisions had set a "disturbing" precedent.

It also questioned the need for the dormitory-style complex due to the Southlands resort proposals being redrawn.

"As that hotel has been relocated to Morgan's Point, the application for a dormitory and laundry facilities at the Hunt's Quarry site in Warwick has questionable validity," said the campaign group.

Speaking out on the topic yesterday, Shadow Minister of the Environment Cole Simons accused Mr. Blakeney of making a mockery of the planning laws with his decision.

He said: "If we want our people to adhere to the current building codes and our 2008 national development plan, our political leaders must abide by them and be seen to abide by them, and in every instance to avoid the appearance they are not acting as agents for special interest groups.

"If our leaders demonstrate reckless regard for our planning laws, why should they expect anything different from the public? It is critical that our government any government – lead by example.

"In regards to the application to build a dormitory at Quarry Lane in Warwick, the Minister of the Environment must first come clean with regards to the land swap agreement with Southlands Limited.

"The public deserves an update on this matter because the dormitory scheme was one of its components.

"Why should we consider this development if there is no clarity around the underlying land exchange and the appointment of new hotel developers at Morgan's Point?

"Given the collapse of the Jumeirah Southlands Hotel development, the accompanying Southlands Special Development Order, which includes the staff dormitories as a hotel-related development, should not be considered at this time.

"If Mr. Hunt is wishing to proceed with this development, independent of any affiliation with hotel development, then his application should be treated like any other DAB application.

"As the Shadow Minister of the Environment, I am very disturbed and alarmed at the minister's flagrant disregard for the spirit and intent of Bermuda planning and development laws."