If entrepreneur Belcario Thomas finally gets to build his beach bar, he's got a few more hurdles to overcome yet from his opponents in Warwick West.

Area MP Mark Pettingill predicts even if the courts rule in favour of the controversial Warwick Long Bay project — like Government did more than a year ago — local residents will refuse to give up the fight against a scheme they describe as an environmental tragedy.

"They are not going to go ahead and allow someone to set up down there. They feel far too strongly about it," Mr. Pettingill told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Since Mr. Thomas announced his plans for the 'Sandbar' in 2008, he has faced a storm of protests from green campaigners and people living near the beach.

And with Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney giving his backing to the project 13 months ago, residents are now awaiting a court hearing they hope will overturn the Minister's decision.

Mr. Pettingill, who said the issue has unified his constituents over the past year, said if the courts rule against them they will continue to protest in whichever form it takes to get their way.

"The people that live in that area are there to enjoy the fact that they have a piece of Bermuda that's preserved; it's been the same for centuries. We have far too few places that remain like that," said the Bermuda Democratic Alliance politician.

"People like to go and ride horses, walk their dogs and exercise there. Everyone is conscious of the fact we need to provide for our tourism product, and people are attracted to the type of place Warwick Long Bay already is.

"What is planned is just not in keeping with what people already enjoy there.

"I received a lot of complaints about this when I was with the United Bermuda Party and I have continued to with the Alliance."

So far, campaigners have collected a petition with more than 5,000 signatures and organised public meetings, while a group of about 50 descended on Parliament to make their case.

No date has been announced for the court hearing yet, but Mr. Pettingill said he believes the judges will take onboard residents' efforts when making their decision.

"I'm confident that if it has to go court, that they will win the day," he said. "Despite what everyone thinks, this was certainly a case where there has been public consultation: the residents have said what they think."