ENVIRONMENT officials have finally taken action to repair a beauty spot illegally bulldozed by a developer.

In October 2005 former PLP trustee Henry Talbot was given 30 days to restore a section of cliff on Gilbert's Bay off East Shore Road in Somerset. Mr. Talbot broke planning regulations by bulldozing the cliff, which had been the site of several longtail nests.

Last month the Opposition accused Government of cronyism after this newspaper revealed Mr. Talbot had failed to comply with the order more than a year later - and that officials had failed to take any further action.

But this week Environment Permanent Secretary Wayne Carey, in a letter to the Mid-Ocean News, confirmed that Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield had since met with Mr. Talbot and the matter was now being resolved. Planning and conservation officials have since carried out an inspection of the site

"Mr. and Mrs. Henry Talbot Jr. have agreed to comply with the enforcement provisions and undertake certain remedial work at their property," Mr. Carey said.

"The remedial work would be subject to planning approval and would entail new planting to compensate for path cut through woodland, softening the concrete retaining walls and approach apron, and the installation of artificial longtail nests on the cliff-face."

"The Ministry of the Environment will continue to monitor this matter so that it can be brought to a successful resolution."