Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy has proposed designating the Tucker’s Town cemetery as a historic monument.

Mr Fahy’s recommendation to deem the site a Grade HM, a Historic Monument Listed Building, follows concerns about the desecration of the tombstones.

The Royal Gazette reported two weeks ago that a group of concerned residents had asked police to investigate the desecration of the historic cemetery.

It has also been the subject of an inquiry by the Ombudsman, which resulted in a highly critical report published in January this year.

“The Minister’s decision to proceed with this listing designation under Section 30 of the Development and Planning Act 1974 allows for a public consultation period, ending on September 26, 2014,” a Ministry spokeswoman said. “Upon the conclusion of the public consultation period, the Minister will make his final decision on the listing designation.”

The cemetery is already a Historic Protection Area under the Bermuda Plan 2008, according to the Ministry.

The listing designation would not offer more protection than it now enjoys but would make the site exempt from future planning fees and the Ministry’s interest-free loan scheme would be available for repair and maintenance.

The public can send comments to the Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs), c/o Forward Planning, Department of Planning, Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building, 5th Floor, 58 Court Street, Hamilton HM 12.