Further measures will be taken to secure a cliff face near the proposed Bermudiana Beach Resort on South Shore, according to planning applications.

Developers MacLellan and Associates, along with Bermudiana Beach Resorts Ltd, have proposed adapting the Grand Atlantic housing project’s 78 units into a condominium hotel development, renovating 70 of the units into tourist accommodations and the others into hotel amenities including a restaurant and bar.

The proposal also includes adding elevators to all but one of the buildings at the Warwick site, installing a swimming pool and replacing much of the parking with “native trees, shrubs and flowers”.

According to planning documents received by the Department of Planning last month, the project also includes work on the nearby cliff face, which was the source of a great deal of concern before, during and after construction of the site, despite the repeated assurances of developers.

In the planning application, OBMI Regional Director Colin Campbell noted the history of concern, writing: “The project location, formerly known as Grand Atlantic, created intense public commentary, not the least of which was for the apparent conditions of the existing cliff face, possible further deteriorations in the future and the apparent close proximity of the built structures to the existing edge. “One of the first concerns to be initially addressed for any project on this site would be the development risk of building near a cliff in Bermuda.”

He listed a series of resort sites on the Island that have units as close or closer to a cliff face with the same dynamic ocean conditions and ground conditions.

He said the developers noted a 2011 geological study of the area carried out in connection to the Grand Atlantic project, and carried out an updated survey of the top edge, midsection and the base of the cliff and revetment wall, which confirmed that the existing buildings on the site have had no impact on the cliff face.

“There continues to be wind and rain-born erosion, especially in the areas where the cliff surfaces extend out beyond the base of the cliff below,” he wrote, adding that remaining casuarina roots and new sapling growth also risk damaging the cliff face.

He wrote that the developers intend to further secure and stabilise the cliff by extending the end of the existing wall at its base and make structural repairs to the cliff itself, along with hiring a quality stone cutter to trim away areas of the face which are loose or “dangerously extending beyond the base of the cliff”.

The cliff work also includes the instillation of a stairwell and elevator/funicular leading from the top of the cliff to the beach below.

The Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), who have previously expressed concern about the stability of the cliff, have reserved judgement on the proposed remediation and reinforcement of the cliff face until their consultant assesses the proposal.

However, the group praised other aspects of the redevelopment, saying in a statement: “The latest plans for the project appears to us set to transform the boxy, grey, stone buildings into pastel-hued and liveable tourist residences.

“The novel tourism model being posed by the current developers remains to be proven, but the thorough planning that has gone into the project is encouraging.”

The statement said that so far the developers have been open with information, revealed any studies carried out on the site and has kept BEST abreast of changes involved in the plans.

“Our input was sought and taken on board. In turn, we have involved area residents,” the statement said. “The developers are looking to assist in the resurrection of Southlands, south of the roadway, which will benefit the parkland and the neighbourhood.”

The Grand Atlantic project was first announced as a hybrid hotel and affordable housing development.

While 78 of the proposed 125 residential units were built, only two of those units were ever sold. Last year, the Bermuda Housing Corporation sent out a request for information (RFI) for alternate uses for the site. Government announced earlier this year that they signed a memorandum of understanding with MacLellan and Associates, which includes an exclusivity clause through until late summer which will enable the developers to finance the acquisition and associated development costs of the project.