Government is to bring in new laws beefing up enforcement action against planning violators.

Planner Anna Eatherley, Assistant Director for Development, Control and Administration, said the legislation was still being drafted but could soon go to Cabinet.

The news came in response to a question by environmentalist Stuart Hayward on the 98.1 FM radio called "At Your Service, Bermuda" programme hosted by Assistant Cabinet Secretary Kenneth Dill. Mr. Hayward said continued dumping of rubbish in Devonshire Marsh had raised questions about Government's commitment to enforcement.

Mrs. Eatherley said: "We are currently looking at enforcement legislation, actually drafting more responsive legislation."

She was unable to say when the laws would be on the books but added it was a priority for Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield who had asked top planning staff to get on with it.

And probed whether there were sufficient staff to look at enforcement issues she said: "We recently got approval for a number of new positions."

Mrs. Eatherley said increased fines for planning abuses were also being looked at.

The announcement comes as the Development Applications Board (DAB) has increasingly noted people's blatant abusive of the planning system, often starting work and then asking for the go-ahead from the DAB.

Mr. Hayward didn't get very far when he questioned why the planning application for the Southlands development had been slipped in over the Christmas period when few people were paying attention and a number of public holidays effectively reduced the amount of time the public had to respond.

He said it had led to some worried objectors not having time to register concerns and others being forced to add their names to standard objection letters rather than craft their own thoughts into a letter.

On yesterday's radio show caller Mr. Hayward was asked to submit his question by email, cut off and was then given a bland official response.

Mr. Hayward told The Royal Gazette later: "They didn't address the core of the issue.

"Considering the programme is called 'At Your Service' I should have experienced a bit more of a feeling that they really had been at my service."

He wondered why he had to take two steps — by calling and then having to email — while others could just call.

"It seems to be more of a disservice."