Residents and visitors could enjoy “spectacular” views of the ocean at a café in Southlands if the latest planning application for the national park is approved.

Proposed improvements also include arrangements for the renovation of seven derelict buildings at the Warwick estate, which was said to have seen no “well-planned investment” in almost ten years.

The Department of Public Lands and Buildings made an application to the Department of Planning this month, with a notice published in the Official Gazette on Friday.

It said that on behalf of the parks department and the Government, it sought to improve Southlands, which was designated as an amenity park in 2017 under the National Parks Act.

The park was obtained by the Government several years earlier in a land-swap agreement in exchange for the Morgan’s Point parcel in Southampton.

A letter that outlined grounds in support of the latest proposal, signed on behalf of the Chief Surveyor, explained that improvements south of South Road included the development of a new café with storage, a public car park, public restroom, woodland walking trail and beach-access restoration.

It added: “The improvement will also include cliff face/undercut restoration and remediation of existing coastal native/endemic plantings.”

The letter said: “On the north of the South Road, and on the northern part of the park, there will be arrangements for the renovation and reuse of all derelict buildings [seven of them], including the main house, which is grade 2-listed.

“The vision is that all the buildings will be brought back to uses that will complement the use and enjoyment of the park.

“In the northern part, there are various areas and features of [historical], environmental, recreational and other interest.

“These include quarry gardens, ponds, stonewalls and walking trails.

“The plan is to remediate these important areas and aspects of interest for the public benefit.

“One of the key offerings being progressed through a PPP initiative is a zip-line adventure experience, which also involves the renovation and repurposing of one of the derelict buildings for beneficial use of the public and patrons of the experience.”

The letter noted that support amenities and improvements were planned, including the car park in the southwestern corner of the park.

It explained: “The public car park on the south is to facilitate the vision of keeping the northern part vehicle-free as much as possible, and thus encouraging walking only within the park.

“This means, with the exception of logistical and service purposes, and also for those with disability accessibility challenges, no public vehicular access will be permitted into the northern part of the park.

“Due to the limitations for public vehicular access, no eatery ventures will be encouraged in the northern part, and as such, the plan is to provide a café on the southern end, benefiting from ample parking, washroom provisions and a picnic area, and to service patrons to the beach facility.”

The letter pointed out that facilities at the southern portion of the park would overlook the ocean, “offering spectacular views”.

It added: “To enhance the conservation, biodiversity and scenery of the area, various new coastal, native and endemic planting schemes will be progressed as part of the proposed CMP [conservation management plan].

“Down on the waterside, there is a small public beach that has become a popular destination for small groups, families or solo users seeking a quiet beach experience.

“The beach access, which has suffered a lot of erosion and makes the beach difficult to access, will also be improved.

“The cliff face, which has been eroded by highly invasive and destructive casuarina trees, is also part of the improvement scheme.

“Southlands park is a significant national amenity park. However, it has not seen any well-planned investment in almost a decade since it was swapped for a prime government land and designated as a national park.

“It is believed the swapping arrangement was instigated, considering the location, layout and [historical] assets of interest developed by the previous owners, who kept it at its best as a valuable asset.

“In order to reinstate Southlands park and enhance the benefits it offers to the community, sensitively planned improvements are needed.

“It is envisaged that the proposed improvement/development scheme will be accorded the appropriate attention and support to enable the transformation of the national park for beneficial use for all.”

Documents submitted to the planning department included a traffic impact study, which indicated that the café would offer seating for 114 patrons — understood to be a combination of indoor and outdoor arrangements.

The report said that the parking lot proposed would have 51 spaces for cars, 76 cycle parking spaces and nine minibus or taxi drop-off spaces.

The traffic impact study, prepared by Brunel Ltd, said: “The development is forecast to generate 238 new daily trips, of which 27 trips are expected to occur during the morning-traffic peak time, and 27 trips during the afternoon-traffic peak time.”

It said that pedestrian activity from the southern portion to other activities in the park was expected to be “very low” during morning and afternoon peak times, but that “during the off-peak times there will be increased crossing activity”.

To improve pedestrian crossing safety, the study recommended a reduction in the speed limit within the area of the park and the addition of rumble strips cut into the asphalt — not raised — before the reduced speed zone.

It suggested that warning beacons could be installed at a pedestrian-crossing location “complete with appropriate road markings per the highways department”.

Plans to install a zip-line attraction at Southlands were submitted to the planning department this year, with the hope of welcoming the first guests as early as next spring.

The official proposal came after a call from the Government last year for expressions of interest to renovate or develop buildings throughout the 38-acre parcel of land.

Ideas to revitalise the site were also sought in 2022, but a public works ministry spokesman said in May 2024: “After the submissions were reviewed, it was found that most could not be advanced.”

He added then that “ … the ministry is pleased to share that several proposals are under further exploration that could enhance the park’s utility and enjoyment.

“These include the introduction of a zip-line experience, the utilisation of buildings by parks and other government departments, the provision of washrooms, the creation of a café and picnic area, and the development of woodland walking trails, among other initiatives.”