Developer Craig Christensen says he is still waiting on Government to finalise the Southlands land exchange deal in order to proceed with plans for a $1 billion resort at Morgan's Point.

Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) chairman Stuart Hayward, meanwhile, claimed the delay in swapping Morgan's Point baselands for Southlands was placing an "unreasonable burden" on the developers.

Mr. Christensen, one of the three owners of Southlands Ltd., said he understands Cabinet is taking up the land swap deal possibly today.Yesterday, when asked if this was the case, Premier Ewart Brown's press secretary Glenn Jones offered the following comment: "The Government is working closely with Southlands Ltd. and we see no advantage in damaging sensitive negotiations by discussing this issue in the media at this stage."Without title to Morgan's Point, Mr. Christensen said the developers cannot proceed."We remain fully involved and are trying to press ahead with the Morgan's Point project,"

Mr. Christensen said. "There are plenty of interested parties to fund the project but we are waiting on the land swap before we can proceed."Mr. Hayward said he could see no reason for the delay in the land swap and urged Government to guarantee the people of Bermuda that Southlands will become a public national park as promised.The 37-acre South Shore estate is still zoned as Tourism and Residential One under the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008.[AT]bodyindent:In a statement to the media yesterday, Mr. Hayward said: "From a recent meeting with the developers, BEST understands that the delay in the formal exchange of property is placing unreasonable burdens on the current Southlands owners.

"They are being required to continue providing security upkeep and management for buildings and landscape at Southlands while at the same time engaging in plans for development of 247 acres at Morgan's Point. BEST can see no valid reasons to delay completion of the land exchange, the rezoning of Southlands to protect it from future development, and the formation and implementation of management plans."Mr. Hayward said members of BEST recently toured Morgan's Point at the invitation of the developers.

"We have viewed the new plans and while we are generally supportive of the rehabilitation of brownfield sites, we do have some reservations," Mr. Hayward said."However, our immediate concern is that there is unfinished business in the completion of the originally promised land swap exchanging Southlands for land at Morgan's Point, and the expectation of the people of Bermuda that Southlands will become public parkland."Residents of Warwick and of all Bermuda have been led to believe that Southlands will be added to the stock of open space and protected lands available for the enjoyment of all Bermudians

."In an Island such as ours where so many people are unable to own their own private open spaces, public open space is even more vitally important."Mr. Christensen told The Royal Gazette earlier this month that Southlands Ltd. has now partnered with a new internationally-recognised development group, which is likely to want to bring their own preferred brand to the table, and not Jumeirah, as was the previous plan.Government has stated that the clean-up of pollutants and dumped chemicals at the former US baselands will be funded by public money.

It is expected to cost millions of dollars. "I understand a contract (for the clean-up) is due to be awarded shortly," said Mr. Christensen.