St David’s RC track move given the green light
Plans to move a remote control car track at the East End to make room for a Google transatlantic cable station have been granted planning approval.
While the proposal to install the track on a paved area next to Cooper’s Island Road in St David’s received several objections, a report by a technical officer found that the proposal was in character with the area.
“The immediate area to the north and west of the site contain motorsports facilities including an asphalt RC car track with the airport runway beyond,” the report said.
“Each of these sites are enclosed by 8ft high chain link fencing and there are a multitude of shipping containers associated with the motorsports.
“These uses and their appearance give the area west of Cooper’s Island Road an industrial feel, while the east side remains largely in its natural state.
“It is the department’s opinion that the proposal fits into the character and established uses of the area, and it would not have a detrimental impact either visually or physically given these circumstances.”
While the Bermuda Nitro Racing Association leases a portion of land on Burrows Hill in Southside, a planning application submitted by the Bermuda Land Management Company proposed moving track near to Clearwater Beach.
The move is intended to make room for a transatlantic cable station to serve Google’s transatlantic subsea cable system intended to link Portugal, Bermuda and the United States.
It was announced that Google would pay for the track to be relocated, in addition to paying $4,867,500 for the 262-year lease of the Burrows Hill plot.
A report by a technical officer, prepared in advance of the application going before the DAB, recommended that the project be given the green light.
The report said that five objections to the proposal were received by the department, with four coming from members of the public connected to the Bermuda Triathlon Association or the Bermuda Bicycle Association.
“The main crux of these objections is the impact the proposal will have on events hosted by the entities mentioned above,” the report said.
“The fifth objection is from the Bermuda Audubon Society, who object on the basis that they are unsure of the proposed location, the area is zoned Park and the proposal is not a compatible use and the negative visual impact that containers will have.”
The report writer said that while an RC car track would not be a “typical” development in a park, it aligns with the objectives of the zoning, as it would be for the recreational enjoyment of the public.
The report added that the area is not reflective of a typical park and has no designated use at present.
“The area is largely asphalted and therefore the proposal will have no impact on any special features,” the report said.
The DAB formally approved the plans during a meeting on Wednesday.
During the meeting the technical officer confirmed that the site was owned by the applicant, the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, and that the affected area is not useable for parking for events such as triathlons.
You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.
