There have been no official objections to the construction of a car park for the US Consulate on neighbouring public land.

Government advertised the planning application for the 'alternative parking area' in the 'Official Gazette' on August 27, following an oversight which saw work commence without residents being given the chance to raise objections. The application was submitted on July 29 and the permit approved on August 8.

Neighbours in Middle Road, Devonshire, described the lack of a consultation period as "disrespectful", prompting Ministry of Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary, Robert Horton, to suspend work on the parking lot until the matter was resolved through the proper planning channels.

Christine Rickards, Senior Planner in the Department of Planning, explained the error as: "The application was inadvertently filed as a Permitted Development Permit (PDP) which encompasses minor development works which are typically processed within ten business days. These types of applications do not require advertising.

"Our Department incorrectly accepted and processed it as a PDP. That approval has now been recalled, and a new application was filed (DAP 1).

"Proposals such as this one require a DAP 1 planning application, which requires advertisement."

At the time, Daniel Robinson, of Middle Road, said: "I speak for all the neighbours when I say we feel it smacks of disrespect that Government didn't even have the courtesy to tell us of their plans.

"The project should never have started until the neighbours had been consulted."

Yesterday however, Mr. Robinson, a manager with BTC (the Bermuda Telephone Company), said he was "happy with the way things are going".

"I am thankful Government has gone through the correct procedures and has advertised in the Official Gazette," he said.

Since the application was advertised on August 27, there have been no registered objections.

The parking lot is being built on a lawn at 'Clifton' - the Premier's official residence. It will feature nine asphalt car parking spaces and six motorcycle bays, screened by oleander hedging.

Mr. Horton said Government's prime concern was the safety of those visiting the Consulate, who presently have to walk along Montpelier Road and Middle Road from the Arboretum.

"The Government of Bermuda, sharing the concern of the United States Consulate General with respect to the safety of persons required to walk this stretch of road, and having carefully considered a number of alternatives whereby the situation might be ameliorated, has approved the construction of a 313 sq ft parking area on the south-east corner of the 'Clifton' property, adjacent to 'Crown Hill'," he said.

"Members of the public will have easy and safe access along the sidewalk from the new parking area."

Mr. Horton said: "The State Department of the United States has kindly agreed to provide most of the funding for the construction of the parking area, although ownership of the property will remain with the Government of Bermuda."