A car park for the US Consulate has been given the go-ahead on public land at the Premier of Bermuda's official residence.

Government is to build the US State Department-funded parking lot on a lawn at Clifton, despite objections from former Premier Alex Scott.

Mr. Scott has likened the car parking facility to carving off part of The White House in Washington D.C., and has described the situation as "an affront to the host nation that the residence of the Premier would be used (as a parking lot)".

In a letter of objection to Planning Director Trevor Leach, Mr. Scott said the car park went against the tenets of Sustainable Development — a guiding principle of the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008.

He said one of the Plan's five goals was 'to conserve open space and protect the natural and built heritage'. Therefore, said Mr. Scott, "I do believe as a former resident of Clifton, that it would be most appropriate indeed to designate this property a 'Base Zone' for all the reasons one would attribute to the official residence of the head of state."

He called for Clifton to be designated a 'Protection Area', saying: "The contemplation of turning any portion of Clifton into a parking facility, for purposes unrelated to its function and in this case to facilitate another 'sovereign nation', violates the most basic tenets of Sustainable Development."

Mr. Scott said: "Therefore it follows that if Government would breach the Sustainable Development principles at Clifton for reasons that are not even related to its operation, how can the Ministry of Planning or any other Government Agency or Ministry, require the general public to respect and accept the Draft Planning Statement or any other planning statement from Government."

The parking lot will feature nine asphalt car spaces and six motorcycle bays, screened by oleander hedging.

The Development Applications Board granted planning permission on condition of 90ft sight lines at least 6ft back from the edge of the carriageway and that the hedge screening would be completed within three months, "to protect the visual amenity of the neighbourhood".

Yesterday, Mr. Scott said: "I am disappointed the DAB chose to approve the application by Works and Engineering, and don't think I stand alone.

"I have heard from enough individuals both within Government and the community in general who did not approve of this application. This is not a move which is widely supported and I feel it is regrettable.

"This is a blow to the very premise of Sustainable Development on which the new Bermuda Plan has been drafted.

"The car park has nothing to do with the functions of Clifton. I think it offends the principles of Sustainable Development and I am gravely disappointed."

Mr. Scott added he was now "concerned" for the future of Clifton.

Premier Ewart Brown has said: "Cabinet has decided there should be no designation of Clifton as the official residence of the Premier."

However when Mr. Scott lived there in 2006, it was referred to as such.

Mr. Scott said yesterday: "I am concerned as to what may happen as it is a beautiful tract of old Bermudiana, a stately structure that has existed for hundreds of years."

One resident, Daniel Robinson, has suggested the car park could pave the way for Clifton to be sold to the US.

Asked whether he thought this was a possibility, Mr. Scott told The Royal Gazette: "I hope not. I have heard that suggestion by some but I hope I am wrong and that it is just an unfortunate rumour.

"That's another reason why I protested — we had to be seen to demonstrate."

US Consul General Gregory Slayton says the car park is vital for public safety, as visitors currently have to park at the Arboretum and then walk along Middle Road.

Ministry of Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary, Robert Horton, has also said Government's prime concern is the safety of those visiting the Consulate.