Improvements to the beach area at Mangrove Bay aimed at preventing erosion have been approved by the Department of Planning.

The application, submitted by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, proposed using a “geoweb” system to create a pair of lawns overlooking the beach while upgrading the parking area at the adjacent post office.

The plan would also involve the movement of the anchor monument, which stands at the junction, to the northern side of Mangrove Bay Road at the edge of the proposed east lawn.

According to the planning application, the east lawn would be located near the junction of Somerset Road and Mangrove Bay Road, while the western lawn would be adjacent to the post office. The geoweb system uses a concealed plastic structure to hold and compact soil, stabilising foreshore areas and reducing erosion.

“It’s laid under the ground level, filled with soil so that it’s not visible and then planted with grass, shrubs or trees,” a report from planning officers explained.

“The west and east lawns will be approximately 6ft higher than the beach and have a gentle slope towards the sand.”

The area in between, which allows access to the beach and is used as “parking” for punts would remain largely unchanged.

No formal objections for the proposal were filed and the technical officers voiced their support for the plan, stating: “Overall the proposal is viewed as an improvement to what exists from both a visual and conservation perspective.”