A nine-storey hotel was granted a Special Development Order without the approval of architectural and technical officers, Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons claimed last night.

He accused the Government of being "cavalier" in issuing an SDO for the 220-room Grand Atlantic Resort and Residences on the South Shore, claiming there was no Environmental Impact Study.

Mr. Simons said that because of insufficient information, Planning officers could not complete a review and so make a "proper assessment".

Yet there were concerns about coastal erosion, the scale of the resort, as well as traffic congestion. "Yet three months later, in mid-June, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield issued the SDO without any reference to these valid concerns," said Mr. Simons.

Referring to recent controversy over the SDO for the neighbouring Jumeirah Southlands resort, Mr. Simons said: "There is now an indisputable record showing that the Premier and his Government believe the Island's planning laws and processes do not apply to them. It has become one set of rules for the people and something else for the Government.

"The Special Development Order issued in June for the Grand Atlantic Resort and Residences at the former Golden Hind property is the latest proof of this unacceptable behaviour.

"It has been brought to my attention that the SDO was issued without the support of the Department of Planning's technical officers. In addition, the SDO went ahead without the support of the Ministry's advisory panel of architects," he said.

"The record shows that Planning officials and architects could not complete their review of the application for Grand Atlantic Resort and Residences because it did not contain sufficient information.

"The lack of detail was such that it prevented technical officers from 'addressing the matter further'. Architects were equally stymied. Planning documents shows they were 'reluctant to comment' because 'details were lacking'.

"The Highway Engineer for the Department of Works and Engineering also voiced concern. In his review, he cited the strong possibility of traffic congestion at three proposed South Shore Road entrances," said Mr. Simons.

"In concluding their review of Grand Atlantic's application, planners said: 'Insufficient information has been submitted to enable a proper assessment of the proposal'. The SDO, in effect, thumbed its nose at the concerns of Planning officials and advisors.

"It contains no reference to the need for an Environmental Impact Statement, no reference to coastal erosion issues nor anything about the height, scale and massing of the proposed hotel building."

Accusing the Government of "arrogance", the Opposition MP said: "The Brown Government must explain how and why it came to its decision to issue the SDO given the serious concerns registered by Planning officials.

"The people most impacted by this development should have their say. Environmentalists should have their say.

"Representatives from the transportation industry should have their say. But most importantly, the people of Warwick should have their say. On this and the Southlands SDO they have been ignored."

He called for an immediate moratorium on SDOs, echoing recent comments by the National Trust, and urged the implementation of a new Land Development Plan.

"Bermuda should note that this high risk, cavalier approach to Bermuda's planning rules is driven by the Premier's ambition to have a new hotel built on his watch. And, as the Premier goes, so goes his Government," said Mr. Simons.

"Consequently, we call for a moratorium on the issuance of all pending and future Special Development Orders until Bermuda's Land Development Plan is revised and approved by the people of this country."

The Government was unavailable for comment last night.