Green group Greenrock has backed the landswap of Southlands for Morgan's Point and proclaimed it a 'win-win-win' scenario.

It was revealed recently that the Jumeirah Group will now build a hotel and golf course on the former US base in Southampton rather than put a resort on pristine woodland in Warwick.

The group says it is a 'win' for Government enabling it to bring the Jumeriah brand to Bermuda, a 'win' for Southlands because it gets more and a 'win' for groups like BEST and the National Trust which actively lobbied against Government over the Southlands plan.

However, Greenrock president Andrew Vaucrosson said there were still a series of questions that needed answering about the development.

• What guidelines will Government use in order to ensure that Morgan's Point is developed from a sustainable perspective? He said a review of the existing Development Plan was nine years overdue.

• Which Ministry or department is responsible for the development of Morgan's Point? If there is a Master Plan, who is responsible for creating, managing, and ultimately owning the Plan?

• Did the original project at Southlands also have foreign backers and, if so, do they continue to support the project after it moved to Morgan's Point?

• In cleaning up the hazardous waste at Morgan's Point, who will cover the risk of future claims in case the remediation of the land is not properly followed?

Mr. Vaucrosson said: "With an out of date Plan, the question which begs to be asked is what relevant guidelines will be employed to ensure that Morgan's Point is developed in a sustainable manner?

"Morgan's Point provides a rare and unique development opportunity to display the best sustainable development practices that exist today."

Greenrock has been researching large construction projects that have deployed sustainable development techniques via a Master Plan and in doing so met David Butterfield, the founder of the Trust for Sustainable Development based in Canada. He has agreed to join the Greenrock Advisory Panel.

Mr. Vaucrosson added: "Greenrock and Mr. Butterfield strongly believe that Morgan's Point could be the catalyst to create a new paradigm for sustainability in Bermuda.

"Morgan's Point provides a rare and unique development opportunity to display the best sustainable development practices that exist today.

"A development project that embraces sustainable technique will not only be an extremely important global example but will also attract visitors to Bermuda to experience and learn about the sustainability aspects of the project alone.

"Greenrock encourages Government and those involved in this project to consider the opportunity that Morgan's Point presents if executed properly, thoughtfully, and with sustainability in mind."