Bermuda National Trust executive director Jennifer Gray has welcomed the signing of the land swap deal between Government and Southlands Ltd.

The agreement was completed on Monday, paving the way for the greenfield Southlands estate in Warwick to become a national park and for a $2 billion luxury tourist resort to be built at Morgan's Point.

It comes after environmentalists fought hard against Southland Ltd's plans to build the resort on Southlands.

Their campaign led to the proposal that Government hand over brownfield land at the former US Naval Annex to the developers in exchange for the 37-acre Southlands estate.

Ms Gray said: "The Bermuda National Trust is pleased that the commitment to turn Southlands into a national park is now in writing — signed, sealed and delivered — and we look forward to the imminent addition of this unique and beautiful open space into the national park system.

"Our parks and woodlands are crucial to our social well-being and to the wildlife they support. Warwick is a heavily populated parish in need of public green space.

"The addition of any protected community space should be celebrated and welcomed by the entire community."

Greenrock president Andrew Vaucrosson was more cautious. He said: "We would like to obviously see that Southlands becomes a national park but let's wait and see."