The Planning Department was allotted a budget of $3.9 million, the same as last year, and is expected to bring in more than $1 million in revenue, the Senate heard during the Budget debate.

Government Senator David Burt noted that the Department has made steady improvements in the Ministry’s output measures, including quicker processing time for applications across the board.

He further noted that in the coming year, the Ministry would be moving forward with revisions to the City of Hamilton Plan and elements of the residential building code, while continuing to assist the World Heritage Site Management Committee in preparing a review of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St George’s.

During the debate, Opposition Senator Michael Fahy inquired which area of Bermuda is being developed the most.

He also expressed concern over the use of Special Development Orders to bypass the usual planning procedures in order to fast-track key developments.

He expressed concerns over whether the environmental impact of such developments is being considered fully enough.

“I’m questioning whether or not we have done the right things when some of these developments are done quickly,” he said. “We need to be very careful when these Special Development Orders are being granted.”

Sen Burt replied that information on which geographical areas are subject to most planning applications can be supplied to the Opposition later.