Environment Minister El James yesterday pledged to fight all the way for Southlands to be turned into a national park.

Mr. James said an exchange was nearly completed which would see the Jumeirah hotel resort built at Morgan's Point instead of Southlands — and Southlands becoming Government land.

The National Trust and environment group BEST have both lodged objections to the draft plan and expressed their disappointment that Southlands has not been declared a public park despite Premier Ewart Brown's stating in April that it probably would.

Asked if Southlands will become a public park, Mr. James told the media: "I represent the environment. I would fight for it all the way."

He added that he believed the Progressive Labour Party was a party concerned about its duty to public spaces.

Regarding progress on the land swap, which was announced seven months ago, the Minister said: "Any time two people get together, it takes a little time. We are almost there."

He refuted a suggestion that problems with the global economy had delayed the deal.

Mr. James also denied the National Trust's suggestion that the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 offers Southlands less protection against residential developments than the Bermuda Plan 1992.

At a press conference, the Minister produced copies of 1992 and 2008 plans, which he said both had the same amount of land zoned as high density 'Residential One'.

However, one section at the north of Southlands, which was labelled woodland in 1992, now appears to be labelled differently, making it unclear whether it is residential, woodland or a combination of both.

Former United Bermuda Party candidate Jeff Sousa, who lost out to former Premier Alex Scott in Warwick South East at last year's General Election, called for residents to keep up the pressure to ensure the land becomes a park.

Mr. Sousa said: "The people of Warwick South East just have to be adamant that they make sure they are contacting their representative Alex Scott and the Premier.

"Many Bermudian brothers and sisters are so humble ... people have to understand this is their country. It's not about putting people on pedestals."

Regarding Mr. James' comments yesterday, Mr. Sousa said: "El is an environment guy. Hopefully he's a man of his word and that happens because it's the right thing to do for Bermuda.

"Morgan's Point has been sitting there idle for quite some time. It could be something that benefits all of Bermuda."

According to an advert in this newspaper yesterday, the Premier will unveil plans for the development at Morgan's Point at a PLP meeting for Constituencies 32 and 33 at Dalton E. Tucker Primary School.

Dr. Brown said there would be very little new information outside the swap and proposed trophy golf course, telling The Royal Gazette: "I am more interested in hearing feedback from the people on this major development."