Concerns have been voiced about a planned new development on part of the golf course at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel.

While offering support to the idea aimed at re-energising the golf tourism market, Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons says he wants to be sure that all other avenues have been exhausted before almost half of the hotel?s 18-hole golf course is lost. The hotel last week announced plans to build 145 new vacation homes and golf villas which would reduce the golf course to ten holes, one of which will be for private instruction and clinics.

And the reconfigured golf course will be marketed as a ?Short Game Golf Course and Golf Academy? according to the hotel management.

Mr. Simons said that while the United Bermuda Party supports the development an exclusive vacation/residence club and golf villas to keep pace with the changing tourism industry, it was concerned at the loss of open space.

?We wish to ensure that all of the possible alternative areas available to the Fairmont have been examined,? he said. ?To utilise 45 percent of their 18 hole golf course for a development is a significant portion of open space and sets a dangerous precedent for other golf courses.?

He added: ?We are encouraged by the consideration of a short game academy being developed and feel it will enhance the tourism product.

?In this regard, a suitable practice facility to compliment the ten-hole short game academy, may be practicable with the land now under consideration for villas and the residence club.?

The Opposition United Bermuda Party?s Kim Swan ? a golf pro who speaks on tourism in the Senate ? praised the Fairmont?s previous initiatives, such as its water treatment plant, but feels it could be a ?slippery slope? and he urged the hotel management to first consider options to build elsewher on its property.