National Parks will be afforded more protection under the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008, an Environment spokesman said yesterday.

Government issued a statement in response to claims from environment pressure group BEST that the Plan does not do enough to stop parks falling victim to development.

In a statement, the spokesman said the 2008 Plan includes a new Park Conservation Base Zone, which has the same protection as the 1992 Bermuda Plan — but with additional protection requiring development be set back from park lands. Further, the Nature Reserve Conservation Base Zone covers land of "special environmental significance", and protected areas under the National Parks Act 1986.

Protected areas aim to: safeguard and maintain plants and animals as well as geological, marine and other natural features or products; provide for the use of the area in its natural state with a minimum of commercial and mechanised activity; provide open space; protect and maintain historic monuments and buildings (including forts), marine products, sites of particular historic, archaeological, or aesthetic value.

The spokesman also clarified the procedures for objections to the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008, the deadline for which is today, following four months of public consultation.

"In accordance with the Tribunal Rules, the Minister will establish a Tribunal to consider and make recommendations to the Minister on any such objections and representations," he said.

"The regulations provide for a prescribed manner in which objections are handled and the response to any formal objections would be dealt with in accordance with the regulations.

"The protocol requires that such objections be dealt with after the Tribunal has been appointed."