Developer Gilbert Lopes said concerns about the safety of his Grand Atlantic building site are unfounded. Mr. Lopes is building 125 affordable homes on the former Golden Hind site in Warwick. Construction, near the cliffs on the waterfront property, has already begun on 24 homes.

Construction on an $80 million, 100-room hotel and 20 fractional units is expected to follow.

In recent weeks residents, including quantity surveyor Russel Eddy, have said the construction is happening too close to the cliff face, causing rocks to fall; the problem has been exacerbated by Hurricane Igor he claimed.

The Bermuda Democratic Alliance and the Bermuda Environment and Sustainability Taskforce have both expressed concerns about the cliff.

Yesterday, Mr Lopes released the geotechnical investigation into the Cliff Stability by two engineering firms before construction began.

The report, by Onsite Engineering Services Ltd., stated the company drilled 12 boreholes to depths ranging from 25ft to 62ft and samples were drawn.

Principle Structural Engineer Keith Hodgkins stated that an additional report was done by Lohse Geoconsulting Incorporated.

"This report also provided recommendations on foundation locations as it relates to the cliff face, allowable bearing pressures for the design of foundations and earth pressures to be used for retaining wall designs," he wrote.

Mr. Hodgkins firm also completed a slope stability report for Lohse Geoconsulting Incorporated. Based on this the company advised how far back the building should be from the cliff face, what type of foundations should be used and ways to avoid future cliff erosion.

Mr. Hodgkins added that his could assure future tenants the cliff stabilisation techniques the company provided would prevent further undermining of the existing cliff face.

Safety fences, to prevent tenants falling off the cliff, will also be put in place.

Yesterday Mr. Lopes said: "There are many waterfront properties which have been built much closer to the cliff edge than these units without the same level of investigation and protection. Those other properties may be at risk of coastal erosion.

"The Grand Atlantic units will however be safely sited, constructed to modern-day building codes and will follow accepted geotechnical guidelines.

"I have put my name and finances to this project and stand behind it."