An environmental group has relaunched a grassroots campaign to keep one of the Island's last remaining open spaces as a greenfield site.

The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) is inviting members of the public to join its movement to 'Save Southlands Again'.

BEST has launched a petition on its website: www.best.org.bm and says it will start to mobilise supporters into a campaign of action.

On Sunday, March 21, people are invited to visit the Southlands estate to see what they are trying to save. BEST has obtained permission from landowners Southlands Ltd. to host a public event, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tour guides will explain some of the property's unique features while renowned naturalists and conservationists will also be on hand to answer questions.

BEST chairman Stuart Hayward said: "We are inviting members of the public to come, explore and experience this amazing and beautiful property of outstanding environmental and historical significance.

"Come and experience Southlands. Help us turn this beautiful property into a public park that all can enjoy for generations to come."

He added: "In addition to signing the petition, we strongly encourage everyone to call or write to their MPs, especially Cabinet Ministers, asking them to honour the agreements made and assurances given on their behalf."

The original campaign to 'Save South Shore' was launched in early 2007 in response to a planning application to turn the estate and its coastline into a five-star resort, run by the Jumeirah Group.

Environmentalists, conservationists, Warwick residents and members of the public rallied in force to protest the 311-suite cliffside resort on one of the Island's last remaining areas of open space.

Despite hundreds of letters of objection, Government granted a Special Development Order for the project in July 2007, saying the hotel was needed to cater for the Island's booming tourist numbers.

Former Premier Alex Scott then revealed that concerns of his Warwick South constituents had pushed him to suggest Morgan's Point as an alternative site to developers. And so began a lengthy negotiation process between the Jumeirah Group, Southlands Ltd. and Government and in April 2008, BEST celebrated what appeared to be the culmination of a 15-month campaign as Government offered a solution.

Premier Ewart Brown announced Government had signed an agreement with Southlands Ltd. to exchange 80 acres of brownfield land at Morgan's Point for the 37-acre South Shore estate.

Dr. Brown said it was "most likely" Southlands would now become a national park.

Since then however, Government has declined to comment on its plans for the property. And last month The Royal Gazette reported that serious questions were being raised over the land exchange coming to fruition.

Southlands Ltd. expressed concern that the final agreement might fail to happen, while Dr. Brown said the developers had not yet come forward with a plan which satisfied Government requirements.

And on Friday, The Royal Gazette reported that the owners of Southlands have warned they would have "no alternative" but to reconsider developing the estate if Government reneges on a promised land swap deal with Morgan's Point.