Plans to build a new telecommunications tower to allow the reopening of the St David’s Lighthouse as an attraction have been given the green light.

While there were objections to the proposal over its visual impact, the project garnered support from the Department of Planning.

Officials found that alternative locations had been considered and ruled out.

The proposal sought permission to remove telecommunications equipment from the St David’s Lighthouse and erect a new telecommunications tower and a single-storey communications shelter building.

Documents in the planning application said: “The lighthouse has also been used as a telecom infrastructure, accommodating telecom equipment for local telecom operators and for Government’s Marine and Ports and Bermuda Police Service installations.

“The greatest detrimental effect on the structural integrity and use of the lighthouse as a National Park asset and monument by visitors stems from the fact that the weight of the telecom equipment is overbearing.

“The lighthouse has therefore been closed to the public and visitors for more than two years now, as it’s deemed unsafe.

“The lighthouse is meant to be fully renovated in the course of this year to have it reopened; and prior to that, as part of the plan, the telecom equipment will be removed.”

A neighbour filed an objection, complaining that the proposed tower did not align with the area, describing it as more suited to a commercial site than a park and residential community.

The objector also raised concerns about the loss of open space and suggested alternative locations for the tower.

Meanwhile, the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce said there was no justification in the documents for the placement of the new tower.

The group argued that there should have been greater community outreach.

However, a report prepared by technical officers with the Department of Planning recommended that the project be approved.

The report writer said the proposed tower would be “high and imposing in appearance” and would undoubtedly have a visual impact on the site — but said a balance needed to be struck.

The report added: “The department believes, and it is accepted, that the neighbourhood and the island will benefit from having the telecommunication equipment from an operational perspective. However, the St David’s area presents several challenges in determining the best location.

“For one, the telecommunication equipment needs to be sited in a location which will provide adequate coverage while also not causing detriment to residents, the nearby Historic Protection Area, the Airport Protection Area and the National Park.

“Unavoidably, a compromised solution will have to be met. The advantage of the proposed location is that it will not have a negative impact on airport operations, the listed St David’s Lighthouse nor the Historic Protection Area.”

The report said that alternative locations were considered but found to be less ideal.

The watchtower building next to the lighthouse was deemed unsuitable because the building itself was “structurally unsound beyond repair”.

Great Head Park was also considered as an alternative location.

However, the project would require significant tree clearing, while placing the tower near the centre of St David’s Park would mean the tower would need to be taller and even more prominent.

The report added: “Although there have been objections to the proposal and it is considered that the proposal would pose a visual impact, the department is confident the correct location has been selected for the tower so as to minimise such visual impact while allowing a valuable heritage asset to be brought back into use.”

The application was approved in April, but an appeal was launched. Diallo Rabain, the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Information, refused the appeal last month.

Mr Rabain wrote in the decision letter: “I support the proposed telecommunications tower as a solution to moving the telecommunications equipment from St David’s Lighthouse to allow for its public reopening.

“While I understand the concerns of the appellant and neighbouring residents regarding the location of the proposed tower, I am satisfied that the merits of alternative sites have been thoroughly investigated.”

However, Mr Rabain added a planning condition that the communications shelter building be given a Bermuda-style pitched roof.