Environmentalists opposed to the Southlands development welcomed news last night that Government has given them a fortnight to list further objections to the controversial hotel.

A decision on a Special Development Order (SDO) that would allow the development to short-cut the normal planning process is currently under review by Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield.

But in what is thought to be the first move of its kind, she has published a draft of the SDO in today’s Official Gazette to give those with views on the proposal a further opportunity to express them.

The move was greeted with cautious optimism by environmental lobbyists who welcomed acknowledgement of the ire the plans have provoked in some quarters.

Stuart Hayward, leader of the 150-strong Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) which has the Southlands project in its crosshairs said: “There’s no doubt that the developers, assisted by the Government, have been hoping to build up a head of steam to push this thing through, and obviously the comments the public have expressed have at least put the brakes on that steamrollering effort. What we need to do now is make sure that this is genuine re-consultation, not just an exercise.”

The world-leading Jumeirah hotel group expects the first phase of the planned two-phase resort to be up and running on the derelict site by next year.

Ultimately, the developers, Southlands Ltd., hope to turn the 37-acre property in Warwick into a five-star resort with condominiums and living quarters for the staff, while a new tunnel would put part of South Road underground.

The whole project is anticipated to be completed by 2010, with Premier Ewart Brown quoted as being “thrilled” about the plans.

However, more than 100 letters of objection were filed with the Department of Planning during the original comment period which expired on January 5.

They covered concerns ranging from the loss of open space and woodland to anger at the SDO being used to bypass the planning process.

Announcing the publication of the draft Special Development Order last night, Ms Butterfield said the action was not required under planning laws but she had taken it “in view of the significant public interest that has been generated by the proposed Southlands resort development”.

She added: “In following this course of action, my objective is to ensure that there has been adequate opportunity for public comment, and to consider all submissions that are made in respect to the published draft Special Development Order before a final decision is made.”

Members of the public have until 5 p.m on Friday March 23 to make a submission to the Ministry.

The Minister added that she would write to those Southlands objectors on record at the Department of Planning to give them the option of making a new submission, or of having their existing objections apply to the draft Special Development Order.

Ms Butterfield stressed the step was not meant to be a precedent-setting one in terms of dealing with future SDOs “as in fairness to all applicants, each application must be assessed on its own merits.”

Mr. Hayward, an environmentalist and former member of the sustainable development round table, said: “To the best of my knowledge this has never been done before and I would prefer to give the Minister the benefit of the doubt, to assume that she really does want to hear from the public.”

Mr. Hayward said he was aware of differences of opinion within the Progressive Labour Party and within the Government over the Southlands project and that the move to hear more public opinion may be a reflection of that. He urged people to take full advantage of the new opportunity to learn more about the topic and make their views known, and urged them to make these public as well as filing their standpoint with the Minister. Mr. Hayward pledged that as part of this, BEST will set a website up for people to register their views as a matter of urgency.

Dorcas Roberts, National Trust Conservation Officer, also said that to her knowledge a draft SDO had not been published in this manner before.

“The Bermuda National Trust welcomes the opening up of the SDO process for public opinion and another opportunity for our comments to be heard,” she said last night.

Fiona Doe, vice president of the Audubon Society said: “I’m quite pleased they are putting it out there, and at least on the surface they are giving people time to comment. If the people are given further time then maybe the Government will think about what they didn’t do. Maybe it will cause them to do more environmental studies on how the hotel will impact Bermuda.”

Environmentalist David Wingate said: “It suggests that the Government realises it can’t push over the public time after time. The draft SDO will now be there for the public to judge and maybe we will find out why the project should go forward through an SDO, and if the research is faulty it will give the public ammunition.”

A spokesman for the United Bermuda Party said it welcomed further consultation, but cautioned: “This is nothing more than an empty exercise. The Government is determined to push this project ahead.”

Nobody from Southlands Ltd. could be reached for comment last night.