A campaign group calling for work on the new maintenance yard at Botanical Gardens to be halted have written to MPs and Senators for support.

Take Back Our Park has so far gathered more than 3,000 signatures to stop work until an independent review of the project is carried out.

Government has previously stated that other locations for the maintenance yard were considered but ruled out.

The letter states: “It is unacceptable that this development is being allowed to proceed when there was clearly a lack of public consultation at the onset and serious concerns have come to light regarding the actual planning approval as critical documents such as the environmental impact study and alternative locations considered have not been found in the planning file.

“Our PATI requests for the environmental impact, noise impact and visual impact studies came back with ‘not on file’. The absence of any environment impact study raises further doubts as to the validity of the actual planning approval process for this project.

“Also our PATI request to see ‘the numerous studies that have been conducted to find a more suitable location for the maintenance yard’ came back with ‘not on file’. We have submitted another PATI request to seek the decision behind this and are awaiting a response. Common sense dictates that the Botanical Gardens was never the appropriate place for a maintenance yard in the first place.”

The letter also claims that Parks Maintenance had been earmarked as a candidate for outsourcing, meaning that the work might be for naught.

“If in fact, as it has come to light recently that the plan for this site is to be the HQ for all of Parks, then the means that the Bermudian public were misled about this intentions for this site from the onset,” the letter continues.

“Contrary to the claim that this project is a simply replacement of what was there a decade ago, the water tower and the planned new water truck filling station, training room and throughway from Berry Hill Road to South Road are all new additions. On top of this, there will be two large, 30’ and 18’ buildings that will dominate the entire area.

“Given the numerous questions surrounding the validity of the planning process, the lack of public consultation and the importance of the Botanical Gardens to the people of Bermuda, we request your support in having this project put on hold until an independent review is conducted and the public have been properly advised.

“It is Government’s responsibility to ensure that our natural resources and heritage are preserved and protected for the next generation. Our children deserve a better legacy than this.”