Government issued a statement last night which appeared to indicate Senator David Burch has granted a planning appeal by the Ministry of Works and Engineering in the Environment Minister's absence.

Sen. Burch, as Acting Environment Minister, yesterday approved a retroactive application for works at Coney Island, according to a press release.

Sen. Burch, whose usual brief is labour, immigration, public safety, home affair and housing, carried out a site visit to Bailey's Bay Cricket Club in the absence of Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney.

Following the site visit, the press statement said he "approved the retroactive application for the Ministry of Works and Engineering to carry out works there".

The Ministry has appealed a refusal by planning officials for retroactive planning permission for roadworks at Ducks Puddle.

The realignment of Coney Island Road and then dumping of landfill at Grotto Bay was undertaken last spring without planning approval.

The Development Applications Board (DAB) then refused the Ministry's retroactive application in November, expressing its "disappointment with the applicant's blatant disregard for the planning process".

The project aimed to expand Bailey's Bay Cricket Club, but in impinging on national parkland and coastal reserve was contrary to the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008, according to the DAB.

In an e-mail to a senior planner, Director of Conservation Services Jack Ward blamed Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess for the "illegal dumping" of rubble and excavation materials in Grotto Bay.

Yesterday however, Sen. Burch, as Acting Environment Minister, gave his backing to the project. He said the work was needed to improve sporting facilities in the area and so help combat anti-social behaviour.

"With today's anti-social behaviour in some areas of the community, we can and must promote positive social interaction, particularly among our young people," said Sen. Burch.

"The Coney Island area is home to many sporting events that bring the family together and the gradual erosion in this area, suffered over many years, has effected the enjoyment of these types of events.

"For the past two years Bailey's Bay Cricket Club has been unable to host the Eastern County cricket tournaments. These roadworks and field improvements now make these viable undertakings that all our communities will be able to enjoy."

He added: "The improvements to both the roadway and field are dramatic, and there is no doubt they greatly enhance the area and that community."

However Stuart Hayward, chairman of Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), said last night: "It would seem to be highly inappropriate, and it just doesn't look good for the concept of the Cabinet's collective responsibility, to have one Minister step in to the shoes of another Minister and give approval, after the fact, to the illegal actions taken by a third Minister. It has the appearance of a procedural outrage and a betrayal of the people's trust, that the Government will do the right thing rather than the expedient thing."