The developers behind a three-storey proposed warehouse and retail operation at Marginal Wharf have said the proposals will “breathe new life into an underutilised site”.

In a recently submitted in-principle planning application, OBMI, agent for Southside Holdings, said: “The new warehouse and offices will make a significant contribution to the island’s critical retail distribution infrastructure, improving resilience, while the new store will benefit the local community where existing retail options at this scale are limited.

“Furthermore, the scale and ambition of the development has the potential to be a catalyst for regeneration and investment in the wider Marginal Wharf area.”

The planning documents said the ground floors would be used for the retail store, warehouse and ancillary facilities, and upper floors used for additional warehouse and office space.

The document said: “The gross internal area of the building, inclusive of upper storeys is expected to be approximately 173,000 square feet.

“The existing site infrastructure will be reused while supplementary power generation and water collection will be provided through the use of solar panels and water tanks.

“Geothermal systems and tidal power are also proposed to reduce the overall environmental impact of the scheme.

“Consideration has been given to the apartment blocks on the opposite side of St David’s Road which face the proposed development.

“The new building will be set back from the road to reduce its visual impact on views out from the apartments and the associated landscaping works, including buffer planting, will enhance the appearance of the site, which is currently poorly maintained.”

Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Housing and Municipalities, announced in August that the Bermuda Land Management Corporation had partnered with Southside Holdings to bring a grocery store, pharmacy and ATM to the St David’s area.

Mr DeSilva said the project came about after Southside Holdings, which falls within the Bermuda General Agency family of businesses, approached the BLMC about its plan to consolidate warehousing operations for the wider BGA group.

While some businesses located at Marginal Wharf expressed frustration about being told they would need to move, the BLMC invited tenants to contact them if they needed additional time and would do “everything reasonably possible” to accommodate them.

Documents included with the planning application said that the developer had negotiated a lease with the BLMC, the owner of the site, which was contingent on the plans receiving in-principle approval.

The documents said: “The site is characterised by former military industrial sheds and storage areas for boats.

“Many of the existing buildings are in poor condition and are of little architectural or commercial value.”

The application proposes that “many” existing buildings at the St David’s site be demolished to make space for a new, purpose-built distribution warehouse, retail store and associated staff office facilities.

The documents said: “This in-principle application is primarily for the purposes of approving the use type, building arrangement and scale, site access and parking provision.

“Detailed proposals for the building design including elevational treatments [exterior finishing] and associated landscaping for the site will be provided as part of a future DAP1 application.”

The planning documents said the proposed warehouse operations at the site would involve 76 staff members, with about 30 vehicles ranging from vans to container trucks travelling to and from the site.

Meanwhile, about 25 staff members would be employed as part of the retail operations and 55 staff would work in an office floor at the site.

The planning documents said vehicular access to the site would be provided through four new junctions with existing roads.

“Access to the warehouse will be provided via a new connection to Stocks Road, which will be widened to accommodate articulated container trucks.

“The new access will serve a loading and turning area for vehicles in addition to a material lay down area and vehicle maintenance facilities.

“The proposed retail store and staff offices will have their own dedicated access via two new roadways connecting to St David’s Road.

“To the northwest corner of the site a new turning area for refuse collection will be created with access via Stocks Road.”