A development permit for a US Consulate car park on public land was fast-tracked within six working days, according to Planning documents.

The application for the 'alternative parking area' for the US Consulate in Middle Road, Devonshire, was submitted on July 29, with the permit approved on August 8, following the Cup Match holiday.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering yesterday started work on the lot, to be built on a lawn at neighbouring 'Clifton' — the Premier's official residence. It will feature nine asphalt car parking spaces and six motorcycle bays, screened by oleander hedging.

The Planning file does not disclose any related costs to the project but Government yesterday said the US State Department was providing "most of the funding".

Neighbours however, yesterday spoke of their anger at not being consulted prior to the plans. Although they do not object to the need for a parking lot — visa applicants currently have to walk along the roadside from the Arboretum — residents said they felt the lack of consultation was "disrespectful".

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.

"We're not opposing the principle — the Consulate needs parking space, but we object to the way Government has handled this project.

"We, the people of Bermuda, should have been told what they were going to do at the very least. We would have liked to have been consulted.

"We have dealt with construction at the Consulate in the past, but this has been pushed through by Government, which feels disrespectful. The project should never have started until the neighbours had been consulted."

Mr. Robinson, a manager with BTC (the Bermuda Telephone Company), said: "This situation is symptomatic of a wider arrogance of 'We will do what we want to do with the public purse'. Yet we are supposed to live in a democratic society.

"The people of Bermuda need to know what is happening with Government property such as Clifton. Government has spent over $1.5 million on an upgrade yet it is sitting empty. We need to know the costs of construction of this parking lot, whether the land is being rented or sold, and the overall plans for the Clifton property."

He added: "I'm not sure this is even the best location for a parking lot as there is a lot of traffic going along here and it is a bad corner."

Yesterday however, Ministry of Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary, Robert Horton, suspended work on the parking lot after hearing of the neighbours' complaints. He 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.

"That walk is not an easy one, as portions of this much-used stretch of road are without sidewalks," said Mr. Horton.

"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'.

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

Mr. Horton told The Royal Gazette: "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.

"Much care has been taken to design a parking area that in no way detracts from the attractiveness of the neighbourhood. To that end, the hibiscus hedges along Middle Road will be retained, minimising the view of the parking area from the street and neighbouring homes.

"Work on the construction of the new parking area commenced today. However, upon receiving calls from 'Clifton' and 'Crown Hill' neighbours who complained that they had not been consulted about the construction, I immediately directed that the work cease, pending the outcome of my inquiries in this regard."

Minister of Works and Engineering, Derrick Burgess, added: "I am pleased that the Government is able to assist its United States neighbour and friend with the provision of the new parking area. The safety of pedestrians in the environs of 'Crown Hill' is of paramount importance, hence my hope that the work will resume as soon as possible."

A spokeswoman for the US Consulate said: "At this time we have no comment. The Government of Bermuda has made this parking area possible and the Consulate facilitated. There will be a ribbon-cutting when the area is opened for use."