Event lawn plans for Southlands return for consultation
Plans to convert a portion of a national park into an events lawn for the Bermudiana Beach Resort are back on the table.
In a recently published Government notice, the Department of Parks stated that there was a proposed change of use for a portion of Southlands Park in Warwick to accommodate an event lawn for the neighbouring resort.
The notice said: “The proposed event space will occupy approximately 10,750 square feet of the southeastern corner of Southlands Park on South Road in Warwick Parish.
“A two-week public consultation period, currently in place, will end on May 9 at 5pm. Members of the public can find the change of use proposal and the comment form via the Department of Parks' webpage at www.gov.bm/department/parks.”
Comment forms can be submitted to parkplaninfo@gov.bm and a copy of the proposal can be found in the Department of Parks' lobby along with comment forms, which can be submitted through the department's drop box.
The documents on the website state that the event space would be surrounded by fencing to “support the growth of a perimeter hedge and for site security”, but the fencing would be removed once the hedge was established.
“The event lawn seeks to remove all invasive plant material from the centre of the woodland reserve and replant native and endemic foliage on its boundary,” the document states.
“Any boundary native and endemic plants will be left in place. Those that are removed from the interior will be transplanted if possible, or new plantings will be established within the perimeter boundary.”
The document also lists advantages and disadvantages of the proposal.
Advantages include the creation of a “key amenity and revenue stream” for the resort, additional open green space, additional hotel space, removal of invasive vegetation in the area and work to highlight a historical gun battery at the site.
Disadvantages listed include the loss of parkland to a private entity, the removal of some native and endemic species if transplanting is not possible and the loss of some woodland reserves.
• For a copy of the consultation form, see Related Media.
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