The destruction of an historic lion-shaped rock formation was carried out without planning permission.

The Government’s planning department has launched an inquiry into the demolition of Lion Rock, once a main tourist attraction at Harrington Sound.

The excavation by a barge and crane, caught on camera last month, happened in a coastal reserve zone, which requires planning permission and a building permit.

However, neither was found after a review of planning department records, a spokeswoman told The Royal Gazette.

The destruction of the natural landmark near Devil’s Hole, and now on private property, was highlighted by a former resident of the property on Sunday.

Its removal sparked concern from the Bermuda National Trust.

A BNT spokesman said: “This historic natural formation on the Harrington Sound shoreline was a well-known landmark and tourist attraction for centuries.

“It was photographed in Bermuda Through the Camera of James B. Heyl, 1868-1897, was the subject of many postcards, and was also described in many 19th and mid-20th century guide books, including Bermuda Journey in 1948.” The Trust was “disturbed that a landmark of both cultural and environmental significance has been lost without notice or public debate”.

The spokesman said: “We understand that the formation still clearly had a lion shape and was worthy of preservation.

“We are therefore concerned that this foreshore work was carried out without any form of planning application or approval which would have given rise to a discussion on whether it should have been preserved.

“Although nothing can be done to bring the formation back, we welcome the investigation by the Department of Planning, call for the findings of the investigation to be made public, and propose that steps be taken to prevent the loss of other landmarks of historical and environmental significance.”