Environmental group BEST has formally objected to resubmitted plans for a restaurant at Warwick Long Bay.

And included in the objection is a 2008 letter from the Parks Commission, which the group says was never given to the Development Applications Board (DAB) or the Independent Inspector. The letter, dated March 19, warned that the project could be a risk to the environmental quality of the area.

Developer Belcario Thomas has said that the entire project would be built with sustainability in mind and he described the proposed "Sandbar" as a temporary bar and restaurant installed next to the beach parking lot. The entire installation is designed to be taken down for the winter off-season.

The letter, signed by Drew Pettit, park planner and technical officer to the National Parks Commission, acknowledged that Warwick Long Bay could benefit from a concession, but said the plan was too large in scale.

"The Commission recognises that Warwick Long Bay could benefit from a concession that would provide refreshments and other conveniences that would support its role as one of Bermuda's 'unspoilt' beauties.

"That said, the Commission is of the opinion that Warwick Long Bay cannot accommodate a proposal of this size or commercial intent without detrimental impact to its physical state, health and safety to visitors, environmental quality and aesthetical beauty."

The letter also expressed a belief that, because of limited food preparation space, the planned concession would primarily sell alcohol. That, combined with strong undertow and waves in the area, meant the facility could be a risk to public safety.

In a letter of objection, now included with the planning application, Stuart Hayward, of BEST, alleges that while the letter was sent to Kevin Monkman, who was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, it was not put before the DAB.

"This important letter was also notably absent from the documents referred to by the Independent Inspector, who even remarked that under the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986, the function of the Parks Commission includes advising the Minister on matters such as this proposal."

The plans were rejected by the DAB, but later granted on appeal by former Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney. That decision was appealed by BEST which won after Government conceded that Mr Blakeney failed to explain his reasoning for dismissing the Board's decision.

In October this year, the plans were resubmitted.

In a letter of objection, BEST Chairman Mr Hayward said: "We note that no change in the new planning submission that would substantially alter the original findings.

"The main substantive difference is that the current application is for a deck that is 26 percent larger than before — with likely a correspondingly greater construction and operational footprint. — that places food preparation and sanitation facilities in close proximity."