Former Premier Alex Scott has lodged an objection to plans for a US Consulate car park on a lawn at the Premier's Clifton residence.

Mr. Scott says the Devonshire property — where he lived during the last few months of his tenure in 2006 — should become a protected site as it represents the official home of the Premier.

A large chunk of the lawn has already been dug up after Works and Engineering pressed ahead with the project without carrying out consultation.

"Do you think, if they started digging up like this at the White House, that what the Americans would say could be printed in a newspaper?" Mr. Scott asked The Royal Gazette. "It's an affront to the host nation that the residence of the Premier would be used as a car park lot."

Mr. Scott has written to Premier Ewart Brown and US Consulate General Gregory Slayton to express his disappointment and disapproval.

The plan is for nine asphalt car parking spaces and six motorcycle bays, screened by oleander hedging.

Government says it wants to protect the safety of people visiting the Consulate, who have to walk from the Arboretum.

Mr. Scott said an alternative would be expand parking facilities at the Arboretum and improve the sidewalk on the short journey to the Consulate.

Asked why it was significant for Clifton to be kept as the official Premier's residence, Mr. Scott said: "What's the significance of the President living at White House?

"It was decided by Cabinet that this would be the site for the Premier, and future Premiers, should they choose.

"More importantly, it's a recognised pristine piece of property. It's what we are trying to protect when we preserve our natural resources.

"This violates everything sustainable development stands for. I think this should become a protected site so it can be saved from the abuse such as this.

"I hope sanity will provide."

Dr. Brown lives in his luxury private home in Smith's, meaning Clifton is currently empty. On this point, Mr. Scott said: "It wasn't just for Alex Scott, it wasn't just for Premier Brown — it's intended for whoever the next Premier is until it's deemed to be the desire of Cabinet to change that. And I would hope they don't."

Mr. Scott said he knew from his time as Works Minister that alternatives should be sought, but praised Permanent Secretary Robert Horton for halting work when concerns were raised.

"He could have let the bulldozers roll," he said.

Government advertised its planning application for the scheme in the Official Gazette on August 27, three weeks after the permit had been approved.

Neighbours had described the lack of a consultation period as disrespectful but this newspaper reported yesterday that one complainant, Daniel Robinson, of Middle Road, was now pleased with the way things were going — and that prior to Mr. Scott's complaint no objections had been lodged.

Mr. Horton has said Government has considered a number of alternatives but decided the best option was a car park at Clifton.

The State Department of the US has agreed to provide most of the funding for the construction of the parking area, although ownership of the property will remain with the Government of Bermuda.