The American Consulate in Devonshire is to embark on a multi-million dollar security upgrade to meet new standards issues for US overseas diplomatic properties following the bombings of two embassies in 1998.

The Development Applications Board (DAB) granted permission for a number of changes including a steel picket fence to be erected around the perimeter of the Middle Road property, a vehicle barrier at the gate and new controlled access centre (CAC) building.

While granting permission, the board asked the consul to consider whether the property is in fact well-attuned to their long term needs.

"The board is of the opinion that the site, subject of this application, may be inappropriate for the possible long terms needs of the Consulate," the DAB said in the minutes from their May 22 meeting. They also noted that "if and when" the consul makes the decision to vacate the property, the US "shall be responsible for removing the nine-foot high fencing and the access control building and for landscaping and restoring the site within one month of vacating the property" unless specifically granted permission to leave those for the next tenant. Due to the sensitive nature of the security provisions, full details of the plans for the Consulate were not divulged to the board.

The application stated: "The major upgrades include; construction of a nine foot perimeter wall/fence; a vehicle barrier and access control centre at the entrance gate; `hardening' of the interior walls on the ground floor of the building; and, installation of blast-proof windows."