Dear Sir,

I am writing to you concerning the massive size and scale of the proposed development by the Bermuda Government at Southlands National Park in Warwick.

With 55 car parking spots, 76 blke parking spots, 114-seat restaurant and nine minibus/taxi parking spots, the proposal, as a Bermudian and an adjacent neighbour, is offensive in a national park.

The Parks Act specifically states that national parks are “to provide the use of the area in its natural state with a minimum of commercial and mechanised activity”. This proposal is the antithesis of this statement.

The Act also requires that a management plan for each park be developed within five years of the park’s designation, which will be disseminated, made public and commented on by the public.

Additionally, this plan will be vetted by the National Parks Commission. No plan has been developed for Southlands, although it was designated a National Park in 2017, and enjoys legal protection and “strict oversight to prevent overdevelopment”.

For such a large commercial development, no environmental impact analysis has been conducted and disseminated, which would be a normal requirement given the size and scope of this proposed development.

Southlands beach is well known locally for its dangerous, submerged rocky bottom and significant undertow. This would pose a major safety risk for increased tourist traffic — and especially children.

The cliffs and embankments along the beach are known nesting areas for longtails, which is a protected species. If the cliffs are to be repaired, as they continually erode and collapse, this would cause a major disturbance in the national park to the longtails and their nesting.

If the cliffs are not rebuilt and shorn, the ensuing danger from the cliffs collapsing on children digging and playing underneath would be a serious issue in this park.

This entire development appears to be purpose-built for the cruise ship industry and may be a quid pro quo for the significant financial injection provided for repairing and extending the cruise ship pier in Dockyard.

If so, Southlands is undoubtedly the wrong location for the multitude of reasons laid out above, not the least of which is the outrageous proposal for the commercialisation and overdevelopment of one of Bermuda’s peaceful and tranquil parks enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike.

I wonder out loud if the cruise ship lines themselves are aware of the significant safety and environmental issues associated with this proposed development — and if they are additionally aware of the resolve of the Bermudian public that this essential removal of our prized national park and green space will be fought at every level.

I encourage the Bermuda Department of Planning to refuse this planning application, as it clearly does not comply with the Parks Act on many levels, and for the Bermuda Government to withdraw the proposal and instead, logically, focus on upgrading the failing infrastructure at Horseshoe Bay, which would not require decimation of a cherished, 37-acre open green space and national park called Southlands that many Bermudians fought hard for in 2015.

STEPHEN THOMSON

Warwick