Premier Ewart Brown said plans for a five star development on Morgan's Point have not been approved by Government because there is "too much concrete".

And Dr. Brown, who is Minister of Tourism, said Government had not ruled it out but were also "looking at other opportunities".

Dr. Brown, who is Minister of Tourism, made the comment after a lawyer for Southlands Ltd. development said the company felt as if it was in "limbo" last week because a proposed land swap had not gone through.

In 2008 there was much public outcry when owners of Southlands, a 32-acre property in Warwick, announced they planned to build a five star resort on their land.

Many campaigned to save the land, which is one of the Island's largest remaining unspoilt plots. The Government stepped in and proposed the owners swap their 32 acres in Warwick for 80 acres of the former US Navy base Morgan's Point.

At the time Premier Ewart Brown described Southlands as a "gorgeous piece of property and beach" which acts as an environmental buffer to development surrounding it. He said it would "most likely" become a national park.

However, nothing was signed as the Government had to approve the company's plans for Morgan's Point first.

Yesterday, the Premier elaborated on why nothing had been signed.

"The deal was contingent on Government being satisfied with the development plans," he said. "We have not reached that point and therefore the swap has not been finalised.

"It is not a limbo. The prospective developers have not come forward with a plan that satisfies Government."

When asked what issues Government had with the current plans Dr. Brown added "too much concrete".

And he said Government were now "looking at other opportunities" but did not elaborate.

Dr. Brown also reminded the public that Southlands could not currently be turned into a public park because it is private property.