Consultation to open for new General Development Order
The public has been asked to give their views about a new planning policy aimed to streamline the building of small-scale developments.
Under a new Development and Planning (General Development) Order, an additional residential unit could be added to an existing building.
The change will serve as a wholesale replacement of the island’s existing GDO structure.
Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, who oversees the Department of Planning, told the House of Assembly that the change should reduce administrative costs and streamline the building process.
He added: “This is not a choice between facilitating development and maintaining proper planning safeguards.
“It is about ensuring that the level of planning control is proportionate to the development being proposed.”
Mr Rabain said the idea came from the Affordable Housing Strategy 2025-35, which called for a larger and more diverse housing supply through revitalising underused properties while reshaping legal requirements.
According to the Department of Planning’s 2025 Housing Land Audit, Mr Rabain said, 1,023 vacant lots could be developed into residences.
The audit further tracked an average of 79 new dwelling units per year across the past decade — an output that fell short of demand, especially for low-cost housing.
Mr Rabain said: “I want to be clear that the GDO alone will not resolve Bermuda’s housing challenges, nor is it intended to.
“Increasing housing supply requires co-ordinated action across housing policy, planning, finance, construction, rehabilitation and the activation of existing housing stock.
“However, where the planning framework can remove an unnecessary barrier to the appropriate creation of additional homes, I believe we have a responsibility to examine that opportunity.”
Mr Rabain said the department had to determine what conditions were appropriate to allow for development, including fire safety, water and sewage capacity, minimum residential standards and accessibility.
The minister said the department would soon launch a public survey to gauge opinions on its proposals and other potential changes such as redeveloping existing spaces.
Other areas for change could include fences and boundary walls and reconstruction after disasters.
Mr Rabain emphasised that consultation would not mean every proposal would be approved.
He clarified: “The department’s professional advice will be essential in identifying where safeguards are required, where legitimate planning considerations remain and where individual planning assessment remains necessary.”
He encouraged homeowners and businesses to participate in the consultation when it opened.
Mr Rabain said: “The housing evidence now before us gives us good reason to test what more may responsibly be achieved.”
• To read the full statement, see Related Media
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