A sensitive Planning application to upgrade security at the Premier’s private residence was fast tracked through the Government process and approved in five weeks.

That is three times as fast as the average processing time in the last fiscal year.

According to the most recent Government budget, it took 15.3 weeks to process Planning applications.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering submitted the application on April 4 and specifically asked to get a quick response. The official response came in a letter yesterday.

W & E architect Charles Daniels said in his application: “The fencing is needed as soon as possible to provide an additional measure of security for the Premier.

“We trust that you will assist us in expediting the application as these measures are needed as soon as possible.” Between the time of the initial application and final approval there was one significant change to the application.

On documents marked April 26, the applicant asked to have six security cameras mounted on six- to eight-foot poles.

This is in addition to the three-and-a-half foot metal fence. The fencing will go on top of a wall already surrounding the perimeter of the Premier’s sprawling home on the South Shore. The total height of the barrier will now be eight feet, three inches.

The applicant secured consent from a neighbouring condominium complex because the CCTV cameras will also capture images from that property as it shoots the exterior of the Premier’s house.

The group’s president wrote: “(We) would not mind a security CCTV pointing at our driveway for extra security for Premier Brown and for our residents (bikes were stolen in past years).”

Despite spirited public debate about the Premier’s level of new security, there was not a single objection letter in the Planning file from a member of the public voicing opposition to the fence.

The Development Application Board and Government Planners also saw no reason for objection.

The approval documents state: “...technical officers are satisfied that the wall/fence structure is in accordance with the provisions of the Bermuda Plan 1992 Planning Statement. The applicant has special security requirements and therefore the height of the wall is considered to be reasonable in the context of the justification provided.”

Works and Engineering told planners the application was made as “part of the upgrade in security measures recently requested by the Bermuda Police since our initial application”.