Senators have approved an extension of time for the Bermuda Plan 2008.

The Development and Planning (Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 Extension) Act 2009 was passed into law yesterday, extending the deadline for the new planning guidelines until June 2010.

Government is currently reviewing land zoning and planning regulations, in the first overhaul of the Island's land use in 16 years.

Once passed into legislation, the Bermuda Plan 2008 will replace the Bermuda Plan 1992 in guiding all development on the Island until 2015.

Since June 6, 2008, all planning applications have been subject to the Planning Statement and Zoning Maps of the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008.

In the Senate yesterday, Government Senator Walton Brown said the extension was needed "to allow for the consultation process".

He said under the Development and Planning Act 1974, a Draft Plan has to be approved by the Legislature within 18 months of becoming operative.

It was announced in the Official Gazette on June 6, 2008, and so without the extension, it would cease to operate as a development plan by the end of December.

The Act, approved yesterday, extends the Draft Plan for another six months, until June 30, 2010.

Government already extended the public consultation period from two to four months last year.

Senator Brown said during the public consultation period from June to October 2008, the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 received 451 objections and representations. These are currently being adjudicated upon by a Planning Tribunal.

So far the public hearings have covered 50 percent of the objections, according to Sen. Brown, but this will reach 80 percent by the New Year.

In February the three Tribunal members will then present a report to Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney, to be discussed in Cabinet. A finalised Planning Statement and Zoning Maps will also be presented for approval.

The final Bermuda Plan 2008 is then expected to be tabled to the Legislature before June 2010.

Senators approved the six-month time extension yesterday, but raised concerns about the length of time in relation to the amount of objections received.

The Bermuda Sustainable and Environmental Taskforce (BEST) has previously reported that during the last overhaul of the Bermuda Plan, in 1992, Government received almost 1,200 objections.

Opposition Senator Jeanne Atherden said yesterday: "We have 400 objections but in the past we've had three times as many. It begs the question why we needed this extension, but I'm also aware that this time the Ministry or Department extended the objection period for two months.

"It really comes down to the question of resources, as to whether there are sufficient resources in the Department to handle the objections.

"There were fewer objections than before but we extended the time period."

She added: "I think we ought to have some sort of comfort that once the policy document and Zoning Maps are sent and it becomes a final Plan, then we won't have something which then gets modified."

Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes said: "Senator Atherden is right, we don't want surprises."

He praised the efforts of Stuart Hayward, chairman of BEST, in reviewing the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008.

"I give Stuart Hayward credit. He seems to be making most of the objections. Somebody had to be the conscience of the public and he's doing that well, as far as I'm concerned," said Sen. Hughes.

"It is very important that we try to hang onto what little conserved and preserved areas that we can, if we don't want a concrete jungle in ten years' time."

Remarking on the number of Special Development Orders issued in recent years, Opposition Senator Suzann Roberts-Holshouser said: "I do share the same concerns we've heard already. It's important the people of Bermuda do come forward in reference to opinions, with objectives, because now is the time.

"It's important for the community to understand that information is forthcoming and we do have organisations such as the National Trust who've intervened to ensure certain areas are laid out as set out.

"I do agree an extension is important in order to ensure everyone has an opportunity and the Tribunal is able to meet."

Sen. Brown said: "In the spirit of full participation we have this extension, so people can have their cases fully heard."

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