Plans to build a parking lot on a portion of Southlands National Park have been scrapped, although developers are still hoping to create an events lawn in the area.

The proposed parking lot and events lawn, to be built adjacent to the Bermudiana Beach Resort, was said to be “integral” to the hotel project.

However, the plans drew the ire of environmental groups and were rejected by the Department of Planning, sparking an appeal by the hotel developer.

Delivering an update in the House, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said the developers have elected to not proceed with the car park component of the application.

“While that appeal has been going on, we have amended the application to withdraw the aspect of a parking lot, which was a significant irritation to those who like trees,” Colonel Burch said.

He told the House that there had been “some confusion” regarding a second parking lot, which had been proposed for a brownfield site on the southwest portion of the park as part of the broader plans for Southlands.

“We were unaware of the second parking lot and could not figure out why Planning were talking about two parking lots,” Colonel Burch said.

“Suffice to say that we have accepted that we can use the parking lot that is currently in place with some enhancements.

“The Minister has been advised in writing that the Bermudiana Beach Resort are withdrawing that part of the application for a parking lot.”

The Bermuda National Trust, one of several environmental groups that objected to the plans, had proposed a compromise solution similar to that announced by Colonel Burch, which they said would reduce the amount of woodlands to be cleared by two thirds.

Karen Border, executive director of the BNT, said it was good to hear the change had been made.

“We must remember that this land is part of the Southlands National Park, not part of the resort,” she said. “Neither the parking lot nor the events lawn should ever have been proposed for this stretch of coastal woodland on South Road.

“The National Parks Commission refused to support this development several times before it was disbanded by Colonel Burch at the end of 2022.”

Ms Border said that, despite the charity withdrawing its objection to the events lawn portion of the plan, the charity hoped Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, would not grant it approval.

“No part of our precious national parks should ever be bulldozed for development to benefit commercial interests outside of the parks mandate,” she said.