Dear Sir,

In 2017, the Government added the 37-acre Southlands Park as a protected area under the National Parks Amendment Act — but more specifically as a Class B Amenity Park. This park joins 76 other “amenity parks” listed in this Act, including the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

In 2019, this same government planned to use a portion of this “protected” park on the southern side to add a public events lawn and a parking lot, to ensure the success of the now-failed Bermudiana Beach hotel resort next door.

The Development Applications Board rightly refused this application twice, both in 2019 and 2023, stating that it did not have discretion to approve development within a Woodland Reserve Conservation Area. The board said that the proposal was in conflict with the developmental Bermuda Plan 2018, as the events lawn and associated development were not “essential” to the maintenance, conservation, enhancement or enjoyment of the parklands. Good on them, but unfortunately the Southlands story doesn’t end here.

The latest attempt by the Government is to commercialise the other end of the southern coastal parkland — the western end — to include a new restaurant overlooking the south shore with substantial parking for the entire Southlands Park, improved walking trails and better beach access. This, we are told, allows the northern section of the parkland — across the road — to be free from public vehicular use. It should be noted that the Southlands beach is not a beach for beginners. Our local surfing community will tell you that the varying and strong currents are challenging, and the risks should not be underestimated.

What is now planned for the northern, “green lung” section just across the road is a complete transformation of this “quiet zone” of protected parkland, by the addition of three new ziplining courses, and the main house and quarry cottage buildings are to be renovated/repurposed. While there will be no vehicular traffic here, I for one don’t relish the thought of listening to squealing, speeding zipliners while having a leisurely walk through this park ... but others may find it exciting, so I will try to have an open mind about this change to the park.

While I understand that the ziplining concessionaire has been chosen already, initial expressions of interest are being sought from the private sector by the Ministry of Public Works and Environment for:

1, Renovations of all the existing northern buildings in the park

2, The buildout of the new restaurant/parking lot on the southern, ocean shore side

There will be a proposed term of leasehold interest required for the respective properties, with rental to be in lieu of proposed capital costs for the renovation/redevelopment or development of these properties.

The Bermuda Plan 2018 is the Government's plan to guide the island’s future development responsibly, and it was prepared by the Department of Planning with a great deal of public and stakeholder input. This plan stipulates this regarding our parks:

“No development shall be permitted which is incompatible with the quality, character and function of the park.”

I struggle to see how this development plan for Southlands Park is remotely compatible with this mission statement.

The section on Coastal Reserve says this:

“The plan seeks to preserve and protect Bermuda’s coastline and inshore marine environment from inappropriate development, and to permit only limited coastal development ... Minor siteworks and accessory structures may be permitted at the discretion of the board.”

While the word “protection” sounds environmentally sensitive and reassuring, the word “discretion” is every government’s dream and (some) people’s nightmare.

Here's why.

The admittedly beautiful south-shore Azura ocean pool, sitting directly on the beach and encroaching the high-tide water mark, is a glaring example of the flagrant violation of the Government’s own coastal protection plan and obviously much planning department discretion was afforded the developer in this instance. The tall elevator shaft carved into the south-shore cliffs at the Bermudiana Beach residences is another example of that discretion, which will certainly set a precedent for others who may wish to do the same to access a beach below a cliffline. The developers of that Shark Hole, Harrington Sound home contravened various sections of the Conservation Management Plan during its construction — ie. bulldoze first, ask permission later. The list is too long to include here.

Speaking of discretion, I would like to know when the Horseshoe Bay Live concessionaire will fulfil its contract of providing a $3.8 million upgrade of our public Horseshoe Beach's existing but outdated restaurant facility. In 2021 it was chosen out of 15 contenders and the Government — presumably having decided that Horseshoe Bay Live offered the best investment product — provided a five-year lease, expiring in March 2026. At that time, Delton Ebbin speaking for the leaseholder, said that it would create a “luxury experience” at Horseshoe Beach and the group was ready to do whatever it takes to make the business a success.

Horseshoe Bay Live had plans to create a three-storey, mixed-use commercial building, including a restaurant, bar, rooftop lounge, new kitchen, storage, retail shop, takeout facilities, lifeguard room, new bathrooms, etc. Its initial plan was rejected by the DAB in November 2021. In April 2024, Horseshoe Bay Live representatives met planning officials to discuss a fresh proposal.

We have heard nothing since — now that is some serious “discretion”!

This concessionaire has had several years of running a lucrative, revenue-generating facility, on public land, without having to invest in the major upgrades that were the basis for it being selected. Good for them, what a deal. Wonder if its lease will be renewed. From the recent online visitor comments I have seen, its new generation of beach rental loungers — consisting of large, blue, inflatable Portuguese man-o-war blobs, all lined up like an army — gets mixed reviews. On a positive note, I also read that Horseshoe Bay is No 26 on The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2025 list.

Hope it holds.

When the Government designates primarily undeveloped, natural green space as an “amenity park”, it should strike fear in the hearts of those who cherish the minuscule amounts of untouched green space belonging to the people because it is clear that there are no limits to its imagination, especially when it involves other people’s money.

I often hear from locals that Bermuda is too dull with too little to do; that we need to liven up the island with more entertainment and out-of-the-box activities for our locals and visitors. To some extent, I agree with them, but there has to be a balance between that and losing our existing, natural “amenities” such as a quiet stroll through one of the few mature, public green spaces we have, or having the luxury of swimming, surfing or picnicking at a beautiful, secluded beach, sometimes all to yourself. I have no doubt that many Bermudians will agree with me.

The Bermuda Plan 2018 has some worthy goals of ensuring careful, sensitive development of our public spaces, but from what I can see, this extensive commercialisation of Southlands — “the People’s Park — goes completely against that plan. I feel that it is without question the wrong location for such an initiative and I have officially lodged my objection on the planning department’s website.

BEVERLEY CONNELL

Pembroke