Unpopular plans to build villas on Fairmont Southampton's golf course have been ditched.

However, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts still proposes creating 130 villas, fractional units and townhomes and a new beach club in a major development at the luxury hotel.

Two years ago, 600 residents signed a petition objecting to the original plan for 91 golf villas and 54 other units on the par-three course, reducing its number of holes from 18 to ten.

It now appears development will take place on land around the golf course and elsewhere, although Fairmont stresses the course itself will remain intact.

In response to concerns about traffic, the number of proposed units with assessment numbers has also been halved, while parking will be incorporated using "aesthetically pleasing landscape design", according to Fairmont.

Twenty-two residential units will now be available to Bermudians only, while tennis courts initially intended for green space will instead go on top of a relocated water storage facility on Turtle Hill.

The updated plans were revealed at a neighbourhood meeting on Wednesday night.

A press release on behalf of Fairmont states: "Fairmont Hotels and Resorts plans significant investment to transform the Southampton luxury hotel into a resort community in accordance with industry trends. The main hotel will remain unchanged.

"The existing par-three golf course and open space will be retained and enhanced. Residential and tourism development that had been planned for the golf course lands has been reduced."

Fairmont managing director Norman Mastalir states: "The revised design plans reflect extensive changes to the original proposal to address the concerns of our neighbours and friends while still meeting the resort's need to diversify and enhance its tourism product offerings.

"We have spent the last two years developing creative solutions to meet all the stakeholders' needs."

Revised plans will be submitted to the Department of Planning in August.

Complainants two years ago said the development would "ruin a great golf course" and create a concrete jungle in place of precious open space.

Have you seen the new plans? E-mail tsmith[[AT]]royalgazette.bm