With a spectacular view on the left and an eyesore on the right, residents say the spot at the top of Ferry Reach shows exactly why people have to fight to protect Bermuda's precious open spaces.

The greenland off Anchorage View Lane has long been a source of pride for families in the East End, a patch of woodland and grass overlooking the North Shore, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the Island.

But about six years ago a massive chunk of the countryside was ripped away and replaced by an industrial area; where once there were trees, now there are warehouses.

On a densely populated island where green space has become an increasingly rare commodity, people living in Ferry Reach highlight their own area as an example of the downside to overdevelopment.

Eugene Simons, whose home is a small stone's throw from the ocean, spoke to The Royal Gazette when Up Your Street visited St. George's West.

"Like so many people, we have always loved open space," said Mr. Simons.

"On an island, we need to protect it as much as possible because there's only so much of it. When they develop, they take it away and you can never get it back.

"When we came here the first thing we thought was what a great view we've got. But when you look the other side, where it used to be woodland, it's not exactly a nice sight with all the warehouses.

"Bermuda is famous for being pretty and we need to keep it that way."

Another neighbour said: "Ferry Reach is one of the most beautiful and serene places in Bermuda. It's known for being a quiet neighbourhood but now, with the warehouses, my backyard has turned from a beautiful green space into a loud noisy construction zone.

"Workers start from 7 a.m. on weekdays and weekends. It's really frustrating because the peace and quiet point is quickly disappearing and Bermuda's open spaces are becoming a thing of the past."

Constituency Two MP Kim Swan, the United Bermuda Party Leader, visited the area with this newspaper.

He said residents have expressed fears that more of the woodland could one day be consumed by development — and that people should fight to make sure it isn't.

"It's a beautiful part of Bermuda, very unspoilt," said Mr. Swan. "It's important to record what this area looks like now because we don't want to wake up one day and realise it's gone.

"The preservation of open space is a major issue in Bermuda. It's important that future generations get to see Bermuda and the open space we have today.

"What I have witnessed in the last ten years is how two sides of Anchorage Road can show the difference between open space and development. We have one part which is still as Bermuda was 400 years ago, and another which is now industrial area."