The Southlands development

Kudos to Jonathan Starling for finding this promotional video for the Southlands development, which includes some artist's impressions of the new resort.

Looks pretty ugly to me.

» UPDATE: Doug DeCouto has assembled some photos of the planning application, for the benefit of those who can't make it to the planning department or are too lazy to go. You can find them here.

You can find more comments on the proposed development here.

Comments

[Raptor on 07.01.07 at 11:15]

J Starling,
I just followed the link you provided. I am HORROR STRUCK. This development is so much worse than anything I could have imagined from descriptions here by those who had visited Planning. The entire foreshore is turned into concrete building. It was like an ugly spaceship had landed. The site is totally engulfed; I don’t know how else to put it. Even watching the video carefully, with its beautiful shots of the existing land and beach, there is no sense of integration in the final “results.” There is just this huge, monolithic thing, having eaten it all.

[Turtle on 07.01.07 at 11:16]

Thank you for the link, J Starling (and for all the other information on labour issues earlier on).

I checked out the video and was completely surprised by the utter soulessness of the depicted buildings. I expected something large, yes, and something modern, yes . . . but this is an absolute travesty.

It comes across with the message that they are going to replace a pristine piece of Bermuda's shoreline with a concrete bunker punctuated with palm trees. There couldn't be a greater contrast between the gorgeous views of the beach, cliffs and landscape; and the bare, hard lines of the proposed buildings.

Aside: And where are all the palm trees going to come from since we can't import them or their seeds for plant protection reasons????????????

I'm going to stop right here because I am so upset I need to think before writing anything further.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 07.01.07 at 15:19]

Brilliant design,way ahead of any treatment ever before seen in Bermuda. My only comment would be that the natural cliff face should be preserved and that the buildings should be set back far enough from the waters edge so that the impact of surf during a category four storm would not do significant wave damage.Construction of the concrete foundation would then also be softened by the cliffs and natural topography of the foreshore.The pool cascading over the Southshore view is sheer brilliance.

[loki on 07.01.07 at 15:51]

"Brilliant design,way ahead of any treatment ever before seen in Bermuda. My only comment would be that the natural cliff face should be preserved and that the buildings should be set back far enough from the waters edge so that the impact of surf during a category four storm would not do significant wave damage.Construction of the concrete foundation would then also be softened by the cliffs and natural topography of the foreshore.The pool cascading over the Southshore view is sheer brilliance."

Have you been smoking something, Graeme? It looks like the bloody University of Essex campus!

http://www.studential.com/bio/getpic.asp?picid=32&view=university

[RedOnion on 07.01.07 at 17:04]

Graeme .. who are you and what have you done with the Graeme I thought I knew?

[JJ on 07.01.07 at 17:20]

Am i missing something? Most of the video is scenes of how the current area looks in it's beauty and ruggedness. The few seconnds clip of the artist's impression of the proposed resort leaves me feeling like it's actually an anti-development film, arguing what a travesty it would be to desecrate such a beautiful area with such a 21st century design. Urghhh!

[Raptor on 07.01.07 at 17:45]

Graeme, You used to walk from Somerset to Hamilton just to see the island better. What’s going on?

A pool “cascading over the view” is not sheer brilliance; it’s pretty commonplace these days. And that concept does not exactly carry the rest of this mistake.

This design is all about defacing the natural cliff. They can’t set it back; it would have to be radically different for that.

The architects have created something that does not adequately consider the integrity of the site. Not even close.

Bermuda can’t be the brand it always was, but it can carry forward a certain aesthetic that lets a tourist know which island he/she is on.

This thing sucks bigtime.

[Adjustah on 07.01.07 at 19:18]

Ugh. It looks like the set of Logan's Run. Pew!

[Tired Of Politics on 07.01.07 at 19:26]

I think it looks disgusting personally! I mean here we are in a housing crisis and were going to give an SDO for a bloody hotel that we all know full well will go out of business like many before it! What a total waste in every way!

The land is also notably on/in a nature reserve?! Do the PLP fail to understand/care about WHY we reserve land on a small place like Bermuda? Apparently not!

This is not something that anyone should be applauding, this is something we should be questioning of how competent this current goverment is!

This goverment's actions are plain disgusting and poorly thought out these days... no matter what angle you view them from it seems. They come up with new ways to offend Bermudians every day IMHO!

[Graeme Outerbridge on 07.01.07 at 20:10]

Red Onion, I am the same as I ever have been.Modern design is not everyones cup of tea. I think this design is visionary and advanced beyond what most Bermudians have ever seen in Bermuda before. The modern design and its simplicity marries well with the ocean and shorline.The main design theme plays off the strong horizontal lines of its setting.I think the location for thios development is perfect. I do not see the Southlands property as an integral green space like Morgan Point or Astwood Park.I have stated my reasons in earlier posts.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 07.01.07 at 20:39]

Re the Costal erosion of the site. The last series of hurricanes significantly weakened the Western edge of the Southlands propert.Infact the little Beach house was totally destroyed.I think the reenforcement that the plans must be carried out. However going East where the cliffs rise to about forty or fifty feet work to reenforce the bottom of the cliffs should be undertaken.Having explored this whole shoreline stretch as a photographer, the cliffs all the way down to Banna Beach are being seriously eroded from recent past hurricanes.Significant rock slides have taken place and under cutting of existing cliff face is well under way. I still maintain that what ever foundations are carried out for this design brief will involve significant concrete foundations at water level all the way up. I still think it would be prudent to push the building setbacks away from the foreshore. Any occuppied part of the building should be at least forty feet above sea level and set back some distance from the foreshore.
I like the design and have no problem with its dramatic departure from the Bermudian Design vernacular. Taste is subjective,but it is interesting how many Young Bermudians resist change and are just as Conservative if not more so than their parents. The Bermudians that have always carried the island forward are those with a vision that many of their fellow country men cannot see.

[Tiger Bay on 07.01.07 at 21:20]

Where are the cannon? This is an artist's depiction of the Maginot Line, right?

[Cicero on 07.01.07 at 21:52]

How perfectly hideous...

[VB on 07.01.07 at 22:01]

The more you look at it the worse it looks. Very few have had the chance to view the south shore from the water. This section is along the most beautiful few miles of Bermuda shoreline. I can think of only a few South Shore propertys desecrated as bad as this proposal. All are private dwellings. One of them happens to belong to a former Planning Director. Another is just east of Johns Smiths Bay.

Contrary to claims the cliffs are in no more danger of erosion than anywhere else. Yes, there has been recent rapid erosion. It was caused by one storm. Fabian.

Sterile is about the only word to describe the proposed building style. What were the developers & designers thinking?

What will it take to stop it? A march on Parliament? Protest by driving with vehicle lights on? How about doing it the way the BIU does? No permits. Just a mass march around Hamilton. Where is the National Trust? Where is the UBP? Where is the concern for the future generations of this little rock that the PLP obviously cares so little about?

[codfish on 07.01.07 at 22:21]

I am sick of all the building!!! We have loads of unused land at Morgan's point and Southside, and a huge vacant hotel at the old Club Med property in St. George's. What is happening at Lantana? Do we develop these areas? NO!! The PLP would instead like to cut down virgin woodland and build a new hotel on one of the last open spaces in Bermuda, which may possible turn into another Club Med or Lantana and sit empty!!! What are they thinking? Enough with the building already. Green spaces are never reclaimed - once something is built it stays there indefinitely. The PLP has shown nepotism is alive and well in Bermuda especially regarding construction and development, but these builders are killing our island!! Why is the construction industry one of the biggest industries on an island which is 25 miles long?! What is wrong with this picture?! For your children's sake, stop the building!! We don't want a concrete island!! And we don't want a hotel built on Southlands!

[J Starling on 07.01.07 at 22:57]

I would just like to point out that the property is privately owned, and the proposed development is that of the private owners. This is not a government owned piece of land that 'the PLP' is suggesting we build this hotel on. The government may facilitate the development, but it can also stop the development. Criticisms should be made firstly against the private owners. Should the government facilitate the development, then yes, they should be criticised. Pressue should be put on the government to a) not grant an SDO; b) use its clout to change the proposed development or c) purchase the land for the good of all and use it according to a socially agreed and socially/ecologically wise use.

[Alex M. DeCouto on 08.01.07 at 00:19]

I'm really surprised at the vitriol being spewed forth here. I agree with Graeme, it seems that all too often, Bermudians feel that all buildings should fit into their own definition of what is 'appropriate' for the site, indeed, what is 'Bermudian architecture'. Diversity in our architecture and built environment has left our landscape stagnated. Architecture is supposed to grow with our humanity, not be an anchor. This is a private piece of property, being developed by individuals in a free society. Agree with it or not, people should be allowed to think outside the box. You all seem so personally offended. If you feel that strongly about it, you should have bought the place yourself.

Regarding SDO's, their increasing use has been brought about by a horribly slow and antiquated planning process. People need to understand how the original planning statement and regulations were developed. There was no real PLAN. They went round the island and said; right - there's a farm; that's "agricultural", there's a hotel; that's "tourism". Until a strategic land use plan is properly developed which consider any number of macro and socio-economic factors, I personally cannot put any faith behind the current planning regulations. And with the planning department belligerently understaffed, applications of any significant complexity can languish on some bureaurocrat's desk while millions in interest is burned away. Not an inviting proposition for a precariously put together hotel development project in Bermuda. And if your application does make it through, if you want to do anything at all outside the scope of the "plan", it is instantly denied. The Planners and the DAB have ZERO scope for discretion, regardless of how much sense it may make. More time wasting. An appeal brings the 'specialist from away' to come and give his judgement. I agree with what Phil Butterfield said about this element of the process being "colonial". Can't we decide this for ourselves? Of course, on the other hand can we trust someone with that kind of power? I digress.

I like the design concept, and hope they integrate many of the natural elements like the banyan trees into the landscape design. I hope to christ they don't paint it pink.

As an aside, I tend to agree with the commentary on overheating the construction industry (ergo the economy) if all of these SDO's get pushed through (Par-la-Ville, Coco Reef, Southlands, Astwood Walk, etc.). We wouldn't be able to cope. We would have to import as many as a 1000 additional workers if all those projects came on-line at the same time (along with current workloads), and wages/prices would skyrocket.

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[warwick lizard on 08.01.07 at 02:13]

All these hotels being thrown up will turn us into another Bahamas. A country losing it's cutlure and its identity due to governments that just want the $$$$ quick and dont think about the future first. Instead of having a relaxing place for the city dwellers to escape the concrete, we are infact building more concrete eyesores for them to get lost in. Please please please dont build something like an Atlantis or a Southlands on our island... the moment this happens is the start of our demise. When we as a people start to lose our identity.

[Minioin on 08.01.07 at 07:52]

What did Yeats do to deserve this?

[Alex Jones on 08.01.07 at 08:21]

That cliff is entirely temporary anyway. It is one of a number of places where South Shore is eroding quickly... however the building is still not particularly attractive and fails to capture even a hint of Bermuda's character...

[Pitts Bay on 08.01.07 at 08:45]

Alex

The external (as you put it colonial) planning evaluators add a fair bit of objectivity to the issue. Having been the subject of a planning appeal, it was comforting to know that an objective view would be taken.

That being said, there is no requirement that these city planners have to come from overseas. If there were suitably qualified persons in Bermuda who wanted the job, I am sure they could get it, but they would need to be seen to be impartial. There is sufficient evidence (under PLP & UBP) that individuals are willing to wield influence over many civil servants, particularly when it comes to planning issues, so having impartial overseas consultants to fulfill this job is not some sort of colonial mind set, rather it is a practical reality, that generally works very well (albeit slow).

Pitts Bay

[abc on 08.01.07 at 08:55]

I agree with J Starling.
This proposal is NOT A GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL. It is a proposal from a private group who own the property and want to develop it in this manner. If the government ok's it and you feel they should deny it, then you have a legitimate gripe with the government, but to be ranting and raving about the government building this hotel is totally erroneous and illogical.

[Bob Masters on 08.01.07 at 10:05]

1)'Diversity in our architecture and built environment has left our landscape stagnated...'- Alex DeCouto

One of the reasons tourists want to visit Bermuda is because we have something unique - our architecture. Our architecture is part of our Heritage and should be preserved as much as possible. Of course, high-rise buildings cannot look like a bermuda cottage but look at the Ace and XL buildings - they are quite attractive and fit in with the environment. These proposed monstrous blocks on the South Shore look like any hotel complex in Cancun or Miami Beach.

2)'Regarding SDOs, their increasing use has been brought about by the horribly slow and antiquated planning process' - Alex DeCouto

The Government are the ones who can reform this process, yet they choose to go the route of the SDO, which removes from the Bermudian public their right to object to a proposal. All your points about reviewing planning regulations, staffing of the Planning Dept. and streamlining of planning applications are the responsibility of the Minister in charge. The present Government has not, as is required by law, updated the Bermuda Plan since 1992.

I agree with Pitts Bay that the 'specialist from away' gives some objectivity to an appeal of a turned-down application. It gives the applicant some solace that his/her proposal will be looked at in a different light from, as Alex DeCouto says, the '..planners and DAB who have ZERO scope for discretion...'.

3)'I agree with what Phillip Butterfield said about this element of the process being colonial. Can't we decide this for ourselves?' - Alex DeCouto

Uhh, NO? There would be chaos, people deciding to do what ever they wished. Bermuda is a very small group of Islands. The reason we have such strict planning rules is for that reason, in an attempt to maintain a pleasing image for our visitors. Anyone who has visited the Caribbean islands will appreciate how our planning rules have given Bermuda an 'image' not found elsewhere. Graeme Outerbridge, you made a living off of Bermuda architecture so I am very surprised by your comments on this thread. Philip Butterfield may think the planning process is 'colonial', yet I would call it democratic. It give the public the right to object to a proposed development. It is left up to the DAB to decide whether to consider the objections or not. It gives the applicant the right to appeal to the Minister or outside authority. It is only when the Minister overturns a DAB decision or when she/he grants a SDO that it becomes 'colonial' i.e. un-democratic.

Alex DeCouto, you have a vested interest in all the proposed hotel complexes along the South Shore (Graeme Outerbridge, I am not sure about you after your comments here?). I have a vested interest, on behalf of my children and their children, to try and save the last remaining tracts of open space in Bermuda, so that they can in the future enjoy an environment that still has some native birds and animals in it, pristine beaches to lie on and clean water to swim in. As a Bermudian, I am interested in preserving what is left rather than sell our remaining open space to foreigners for their exploitation and profit.

[Alex M. DeCouto on 08.01.07 at 10:06]

Pitts Bay,

Phil Butterfield used the term "colonial", not me (hence the quotation marks). To a certain extent he is right - deferring this decision to an overseas expert is a "colonial" way of doing it.

However, I too have been exposed to the appeals process and agree that its not so bad once you get there. That person is the only one allowed to make any type of discretionay decision/recommendation, and more often than not, common sense previals.

I just think that the whole process needs to be reviewed and seriously overhauled. We have been developing our island according to a static "plan" that was put together by a small committee more than 15 years ago. The process should be sufficiently dynamic as to allow consideration of real-time information, particularly when assessing large developments such as these we are seeing more recently. The framework we are operating in right now is not at all sensitive to our current needs. A new plan should involve an assessment of what our land use needs are currently, and what plans we can put in place to sustain development into the future. If that means, for instance, a plan for Gov't to become an agressive purchaser of property to secure as public parks (as has been suggested here), then lets put that plan together.

I have information that the Planning process has been reviewed and recommendations have been made, but with the Ministers changing seats every 6 months, the likelyhood that anything significant will happen any time soon is not very high.

In the mean time, developers with sufficient clout will continue to lobby for SDOs. I agree that they should only be used in emergencies (new Causeway's for instance), but given the current state of our planning system, I don't blame them at all for trying.

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[Plato Preto on 08.01.07 at 10:22]

" but to be ranting and raving about the government building this hotel is totally erroneous and illogical. "

Clearly ABC you forgot what blog you were reading. It wouldn't be LiB if the poster's (not Limey) weren't blaming the PLP for something.

Becuase clearly the PLP are a bunch on uneducated people and the Minster of Finance surely cannot understand the dangers of an overheated ecenomy. Such a thought is beyond the Premier, and the Minster of Labour & Immigration is very happy to have 1500 foreign labourers come to Bermuda to set up shop. (Sarcasm)

Get real. Praise the fact that Tourism Investment is coming to Bermuda and realize that Ace & XL may not be here forever so we need to build up the 2nd part of our economy while the stove is hot.

[Bob Masters on 08.01.07 at 10:29]

After watching the promotional video for Southlands, has anyone else been struck by the elements that make the property (and video) attractive? It is the environment, the entrance through the banyan trees, the overgrown vegetation around Morgan's Tomb, the beach and ocean. Southlands (the house itself) has many, many Bermudian architectual features and this structure, along with another 7-8 on the property are to be demolished! I am very surprised that 'Southlands' (the house) was not listed as a property of historic merit as it appears to be a highly attractive structure, very worthy of preservation. I wonder if Will Onions designed it?

In any event, all of this will be gone in a flash, replaced by 8 five-story structures (ugly as sin if I may say so), masses of concrete and residential units available to foreigners.

Every Bermudian must go up to the Planning Department and look at the plans. Then you can make your own informed decision about the project. There are two Planning numbers, P1029/06 and P1030/06 (9-story staff housing off of Kyber Pass), both of which are signed off by Lt. Col David Burch on behalf of the Cabinet.

[Roly Poly on 08.01.07 at 10:32]

You can view Southlands here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&hl=en&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=32.26656,-64.795657&spn=0.006214,0.007864&om=1

Scroll to the right to see the adjoining Atlantic Development land that also has a SDO application.

I feel so much better that it's a "land bridge" not a frikkin half mile long tunnel. Sounds so much prettier.

[Copper on 08.01.07 at 11:22]

Everybody take a deep breadth. It's ok not having everything around with double hung windows, shutters, and a slate roof.

It's called architecture and it's nothing to be afraid of.

What you should be afraid of is the stifling of architecture which has ruined front street.

There was a real chance for the people of Bermuda to define their image with the construction of about 6 or 7 buildings and all you are getting is a bunch of homogenous crap built out to the setbacks and the only way you will be able to tell the difference between them is if they are painted a different colour.

What a great loss for Bermuda.

[Tim - Ex BDA Resident on 08.01.07 at 11:25]

This concrete monstrosity could be located anywhere in the world and reflects none of the understated style or charm that I remember fondly about Bermuda.

Its overly modern design will age badly and will quickly become an eyesore in years to come.

If Bermuda continues to pave over paradise, it may increase the number of tourists in the short term but will lose them in the long term. As the product becomes indistinguishable from what's on offer in the Bahamas, Cancun, etc, the fickle tourist will simply choose whichever destination is cheaper, more convenient, currently in fashion, etc.

Modernise - yes, but cherish and preserve what sets Bermuda apart from other upmarket holiday destinations.

[SmokingGun on 08.01.07 at 11:43]

If this "thing" goes through I'm getting into the concrete business. Move over Butterfield, Brown and Bierman - I'm gonna park me a big fat tanker right off south shore and start spraying. Be a millionaire in a week.

I'm with JJ. At first I was expecting an over-sized Coral Beach or the like then I we get the drawings and it's like "Intro to Architecture - how to draw a straight line." I'd be very interested to see what the reception from our core tourist base is to this. Where's the history, heritage and feel of Bermuda? This "thing" may work well in a place like Dubai but it's just ridiculous to push this on to Bermuda.

And to be honest it's pretty offensive that this is expected to be accepted as a replacement for the Southlands. And as to why didn't someone else buy Southlands, I'm pretty sure a few tried and had the idea to create a much more tranquil setting. But timing is everything and now that we've got people with money up the wazoo, interestingly generated from others mis-fortunes, we're getting rough-shod over because people know in their hearts of hearts this is expecting too much. No wonder they refused to allow the press to get a hold of the drawings.

Good job comrade Starling.

[Realitycheck on 08.01.07 at 11:48]

I sincerely hope that Bermudians will NOT permit this monstrosity to be built on that pristine piece of Southshore... we are selling our souls here people... wake up

[The Limey on 08.01.07 at 12:57]

Alex

I don't consider replacing the Causeway to be an emergency warranting an SDO either. But that's another subject, best discussed here.

[thisgrassman on 08.01.07 at 13:22]

Just had an opportunity to review the planning drawings. The tunnel concept is brillaint. All great design surely reflects its time and this cleaver bit of engineering comes up trumps. What a powerful metaphor for Bermudians future relationship to their environment! The elite monied jet set enjoys the brillaint light and views of this Island while the locals get to scurry around in the shadows of the infrastructure.

Come on now - we all know the land crab really represents the true Bermudian spirit so why should we not regress properly to a subterranean existence? We can sell off all the stuff up top to sexy rich foriegners (just like in the video)and we can service all their needs from below in our cosy infrastucture of burrows and tunnels.

A perfectly sustainable future if you ask me.

[SmokingGun on 08.01.07 at 14:02]

thisgrassman - now that's what I call a nice dig. ;-)

Metaphorically speaking how so true you are.

Last time I checked South Shore Road was government property. And the government is the people... right? Oh wait - Colonel Burch was on call the day the Southland's SDO request came in. Never mind. Time to order the out houses. Looks like we're going get crapped on again.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 08.01.07 at 15:41]

If all of you hate this building so much after its built,there is a simple choice.When going West take Middle Road.I think there will be changes to the build because the plans are a starting point of the ideas and concepts.I think there will be a process that gets us to the bricks and cement.Bermudians once were a people of courage that sailed the seven seas,some of us really do now live in the land of the lotus eaters.I do not understand why change is feared so much on this Island. Physical change is moving in concert with technology. The Southlands property has been in neglect for a considerable time. This development will enhance the open space behind it. The trees and vegetation on Southlands is mostly introduced and not endemic.I guess I'll see you over at the South shore bar relaxing after this hotel is built. I care about open space but for me this is a Great project for Bermuda Tourism.

[Wensleydale on 08.01.07 at 17:40]

Tired Of Politics makes a good point. Bermuda is in a housing crisis but is using resources to building new hotels, why?

The drawings shown in the video suggest to me a building at the very earlest stages of design. Far ealier than a project could be put in for planning or even outline permission. Has a SDO been issued for a building before its been design to the appropriate level?

Im with Graeme on the design. it looks exciting and new, different from everything else in Bermuda.

[SmokingGun on 08.01.07 at 18:23]

My gut feeling is that the developers and designers have come out with this as an opening salvo figuring they will be beaten back by half. So what today looks a lot like a battleship run aground will in fact end up looking more like a pretty concrete flower bed. Without the flowers.

As an aside - did anyone read the Vanity Fair article a while back on the Burj/Jumeirah people. Apparently no one is allowed to discuss how they handle their employees. Can't wait to hear how the first crop of Bermudians fare with their training. They'll probably skip back to Bermuda and immediately sign up for the Regiment just to get out of the deal.

Graeme - like Mr. Masters, just trying to my head around your gushing. Are you aware of some other great monstrosities coming along that approving this will help improve the odds of getting permission to build? Surely you have to admit that the scale of this is in the extreme?

[Slowhand on 08.01.07 at 21:28]

Have we all forgotten how things have been happening recently? What we need to be asking is how much of that is actually going to be "residential" units? Who builds just a hotel now? First comes the presold premium residential units, then they will tag on a few hotel rooms after the fact. What we are looking at could be the newest 'exclusive' neighborhood where the most of what all of us will see will be from underground.

[Roly Poly on 08.01.07 at 21:40]

Graeme, you can afford to be cavalier about open space. You are not boxed up in a condo rat hole like most young Bermudians .. if they are lucky.

Your implication that the greenery is not worth saving because its not endemic is asinine, ya mangy wolf: name me one area of Bermuda that is still native forest.

[The Limey on 08.01.07 at 22:13]

Doug DeCouto has assembled some photos of the planning application, for the benefit of those who can't make it to the planning department or are too lazy to go. You can find them here.

[Alex M. DeCouto on 08.01.07 at 22:27]

Bob Masters,

Your arguments are poorly constructed, and your points all subjective in nature.

You can't tell me in the same paragraph that we can't decide planning decisions for ourselves because anarchy would previal, and then tell me that having someone else decide for us is "democratic". You need to look up the definitions for democratic and colonial.

And anyone who can say with a straight face that the ACE Building is "attractive" will NEVER agree with any opinion of mine with regards to architecture. Your opinions about what is "attractive", what is "monstrous", indeed, what is "Bermudian", are all just that; opinions. Don't dismiss mine and present yours as fact.

Yes, I'm in the construction business but that doesn't mean that I don't want to preserve for my kids Bermuda's open spaces and clean water. To suggest otherwise without even knowing me is poor judgement on your part. All you should be able to discern from my comments is that I support the "democratic" right to develop the land you own, and that I don't mind 'un-Bermudian' architecture (you say tomato...).

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[Graeme Outerbridge on 08.01.07 at 22:45]

Dear Smoking....I'm not gushing. I just see this as really good hotel development on a perfect site for it. If you read my earlier posts you will understand that I would prefer to see Morgan's Point be preserved rather than prevent development at Southlands. Roly Poly although my coat is not as shiny as it used to be....It is not mangy...I repeat not mangy. Big thanks to Doug for the posted plans.One final note Roly Poly I did not mean just because the vegetation is not endemic the site should be totally cleared. If anything I think the developers are going to enhance the planting and the gardens.My point was that there were very few endemic plants on the property....Therefore old stand palm forest ect were not being destroyed by this particular development.Native Forest...Nonsuch Island and I planted alot of it with David Wingate...Also Paget Marsh. Also EB properties Woodland Reserve...I planted that too. ^..^

[Tired Of Politics on 09.01.07 at 01:00]

Graeme & Alex,
Don't you two think we ought to use the property we do have zoned for that building thats currently going to waste? That's some eye sore down in St Georges that we have huh???

Let's face it... Who here feels tourism will *EVER* be what it once was in Bermuda? Do Bermudian's offer the same HIGH levels of service found elsewhere in the world? Do they even consider working in a hotel to be an affordable career path for those living in the ever costly Island of Bermuda?

Don't be blind to it, all we are doing here is creating more jobs for expat workers and risking this building becoming another un-occupied eye-sore in 3-5 years or less.

Why not use what we have? The use of an SDO should imply a critical need in that area... Really... Is South shore in Critical need of *ANOTHER* hotel in your opinions? I personally think not based on the struggle that all the others see.

I think many of those rooting for this have vested interest via working in the construction industry possibly... At what cost will you line your own pockets guys? ;0

When there is little land available, Bermuda as a country must make the smartest use of what it has. This plan simply is not that. Re-using exisiting land is the only smart use in this case. It's isnt like demand exceeds supply in Bermuda's hotels these days now is it! ;0

-Tired of Politics

[Graeme Outerbridge on 09.01.07 at 08:14]

I hear you tired....Club Med is a Bermuda Government project, Where as Southlands and the Old Bermudiana Beach properties are private concerns. Club Med is not helped by its Northern exposure but it does have the bonus of a surrounding Golf course and a nearbye world Heritage site. I think the success of Bermuda is built on our diversity both local and International. The Southlands is a perfect site for Tourism. I think it is going to be economically vital to have Tourism back on its feet in the near future. Bermudians will always be excellent in the Tourism industry. If there are serious reversals in Reinsurance,Bermudians will go where the work and jobs are available. Its all a question of Balance...We have lost the Bermudiana, and any number of other hotels and cottage colonies. We are happily in a cycle of economic renewal in Tourism. I am convinced it is vital to our economic future and that is positive. Southlands will be a huge plus.

[VB on 09.01.07 at 08:30]

Don't be fooled by 'artists' impressions. I remember the artists impression of the BUEI building when it was first proposed. Greenery everywhere. The building was depicted much smaller than the finished product.

As pointed out, what percentage of Southlands will be fractional ownership? Where is the hotel at Palmetto Bay, Castle Point, Belmont?

It has been standard operating procedure with Planning for years, ask for the sky when you really want less. The other method is to apply for something very modest then start piecemeal additions afterwards.

Why the rush to develop everything in sight? What is going to be left for future generations?

[Tiger Bay on 09.01.07 at 09:02]

I contend that access to a planning filing, required by law to be open for inspection by the public, should not be restricted by "copyright concerns".

What is government's policy on the availability of planning filings?

Or even better, why does government not post summaries of all planning filings on the Internet, including the respective cutoff dates for public comment? They have the data why not use it?

[SMU Student on 09.01.07 at 11:12]

Hey all,

Don't get me wrong or anything cause I'm a huge fan of the environment and conserving our natural resources for future generations. But, I do think that they should go ahead with the Southlands Project. I see in the news people living in the derelect Club Med staff housing unit and I feel that this new project could potentially benefit them and there families. There are also countless others who will be able to benefit by these new developments. Come on one of the most respected hotel operators in the world have expressed interest in our small little island. I'm sure that that will be able to help revive tourism just a little, with the new jobs and them interesting in investing in Bermudians through sending them abroad for training. I don't think that we should stand in the process of change.

[Bob Masters on 09.01.07 at 11:17]

Tired of Politics, I agree with you 100%. Why don't we build on existing derelict sites?

Slowhand, if you look at the photos that Doug DeCouto took, you will see on the western, northern and eastern sides of the property the three bedroom residential units to be built for foreigners to live in, as most Bermudians will not be able to afford them.

[SmokingGun on 09.01.07 at 11:21]

And what exactly would be wrong with a semi-dense version of a mixed use cottage colony with a boutique hotel and a few multi-use buildings for restaurants, beach clubs etc. that blends into the woodlands and keeps the general natural feel of the Southlands?

Not all the houses need be "Bermuda-style" cottages so design as you will as they will situated within the woodlands no-one will really see them.

Actually it just occured to me. Why are we griping about what this "thing" will look like in the first place. We'll never actually get to see it. We'll be underground the whole time.

[Copper on 09.01.07 at 13:22]

Tiger,

All planning applications are advertised every Friday in the Sun. You have two weeks from that point to object.

You can go to planning anytime and view any application. You, however, are not allowed to take copies as all the material is copyrighted by the architect. Only the Architect can authorise copies of their work.

Maybe one day the planning department will progress to the point being able to have the applicaitons online, but since they don't have enough staff to process the applications they are currently getting, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for online access.

[Generalissmo Supremo BLA on 09.01.07 at 14:15]

It is interesting to note that the most beautiful parts of the promotional video are of the cliff face and hidden gardens. These are of course, the things that will be destroyed during the construction of this Architectural Abortion. This is irreplaceable Southshore green space / parkland and Longtail breeding sites, both of which should be the under the highest priority for protection. Where do I sign up for protesting this blatant display of shortsighted development? Please, is anyone organizing an official protest?

[Casual Observor on 09.01.07 at 14:31]

Generalissmo-
A general protest against what, exactly?

As abc pointed out earlier, Southlands is private property. Whilst I am against the government handing out SDO's willy-nilly, what the owners choose to do is their perogative. Sure there may be some sort of 'moral obligation' to preserve the environment, this argument has almost always taken a backseat to financial gain.

Why exactly are the majority of us so outraged at the potential development. As was pointed out in a previous post, this property is in fact private which most have/will never see.

[thisgrassman on 09.01.07 at 14:39]

Can somebody tell me how placing this goldfish bowl on the rocks of south shore can claim to make any concession to sustainable development? (Lots of natural light cutting down on your lighting bill does not count).

I would have hoped our government that has spent millions on this initiative would have at least made it a condition of the SDO that the project demonstrated best practice in sustainable design.

I mean how fcuking stupid are we? Lemming-like this thing is parked on the cliffs in complete defiance of any rational analysis of where to properly site a building. This air conditioned nightmare will not survive a Cat 4/5 hurricane but no doubt there is contingencies in place for rebuild when it gets trashed. And of course Mr. Duppereau has called in some of the best number crunchers to run the risk analysis versus the vast amount of money to be made.

For example Mickey’s at Elbow Beach has been washed away a number of times and is always rebuilt because it is a cash cow for MEF. But has anyone ever questioned the waste of resources and energy required to sustain this presence in such an unsuitable location?

Or we have the worst case scenario where a few years down the road we are hit by a significant hurricane and this facility will be so badly damaged the owners take the insurance payout and walk away - leaving everything for the squatters to stake claim to.

Surely a sustainable tourist product needs to demonstate it can bounce back quickly after a major storm? Look at Wydham - it never recoverewd from Fabian.

[Raptor on 09.01.07 at 18:10]

Casual Observor,

Sure “Southlands” is private property, but since when haven’t we all had to go through Planning to build on our own private property? That is why we are also taking the government to task--Planning is part of Government.

[Teacher on 09.01.07 at 18:24]

With climate variability such a major constraint for coastal zone planners, this new hotel design will surely provide a rich opportunity to model the effects of Category 4 hurricanes on tourist infrastructure. This will be one of the main features on the TV show ‘Eye of the Storm’

If I eat a few more boxes of cereal, I could probably make my very own model and test it out in the bath.

It will look great on google earth!!

[SmokingGun on 09.01.07 at 18:29]

thisgrassman - you bring up some very valid points. It is in the best interest of all of Bermuda to make sure the developer receiving any SDO's are required to follow through with certain requirements as stated so that we do not get left with a wreck that is worth more as an insurance write off than rebuilding.

But some people have raised some other good points. For instance, what will the sewage treatment be like if we have both these complexes going up at the same time? Is that Nelson Hunt's end of the bargain or will the Colonel have to bring up the rear and offer up his port-a-pottys? There's going to be an awful lot of pumping going on with this many rooms and it may have a profound effect on the public's domain.

[Rosalind Wingate on 10.01.07 at 02:12]

As a working mother of three small children, I rarely have the time to read a newspaper so the news of this 'thing' as it appears to becoming known to those of us who are opposed, has only just rocked the foundation of my world. As I write, tears roll down my cheeks and I feel quite sick to my stomach. I take this personally. It was only this weekend that I took my children to my favorite (well, second favorite) beach in Bermuda in blissful ignorance that my grandchildren may never know it. I wish I could post the pictures I took that day to serve as a reminder of what this vast wall of concrete would be replacing: The beach where I fell in love with my husband, the beach where he and generations before him grew up, searching for flotsam and frolicking in the waves of one of Bermuda's last remaining coastal refuges. It is unthinkable to me that we as Bemudians will no longer be able to walk more than half a mile of Beach without stumbling across the doorstep of one resort or another. One of the things I treasure most about that stretch of shoreline is that it enables you to feel as though it belongs to YOU....as it does - all Bermudians have indisputable rights to enjoy any land that is sometimes beneath the sea (Queen's foreshore law).

I am disturbed by comments dismissing this as a 'temporary coastline' and suggesting that reinforcement might even be beneficial! It seems absurd! Coastal erosion is a natural process and part of the charm of this particular stretch of coast and only empasizes the stupidity of building so close to the ocean! (Look at what's left of Banana Beach!) I look forward each time I visit, to seeing what changes have occurred since my last visit. However, though they may change, you could hardly call them temporary! The life span of a human is temporary.

As to the comments about the non-endemic floral diversity on the property, one only has to look at my Father's work on Nonsuch island and all the other National trust and Audubon Society properties that he has tirelessly reforested during his life - even at the age of 72, he is still shedding blood, sweat and tears planting trees single handedly, in his own time, for the future of Bermuda's children. One day of tree planting leaves him bedridden for three. In light of everything he has painstakingly achieved this (and other ADO's) just seems like such a slap in the face. If only this land could be preserved as parkland it would be an unparalelled natural resource for the public. Having said that, I would rather see it used to build housing for Bermudians before letting it get competely and irreversibly RAPED by Jumeirah.

Having watched the video, I had some strong impressions but was at a loss for words so I will borrow those of 'Raptor', 'Turtle' and 'JJ' as I could not have put it any better myself:

"I am HORROR STRUCK. This development is so much worse than anything I could have imagined from descriptions here by those who had visited Planning. The entire foreshore is turned into concrete building. It was like an ugly spaceship had landed. The site is totally engulfed; I don’t know how else to put it. Even watching the video carefully, with its beautiful shots of the existing land and beach, there is no sense of integration in the final “results.” There is just this huge, monolithic thing, having eaten it all."
'Raptor'

"It comes across with the message that they are going to replace a pristine piece of Bermuda's shoreline with a concrete bunker punctuated with palm trees. There couldn't be a greater contrast between the gorgeous views of the beach, cliffs and landscape; and the bare, hard lines of the proposed buildings."
'Turtle'

"Am i missing something? Most of the video is scenes of how the current area looks in it's beauty and ruggedness. The few seconds clip of the artist's impression of the proposed resort leaves me feeling like it's actually an anti-development film, arguing what a travesty it would be to desecrate such a beautiful area with such a 21st century design."
'JJ'

Beyond that, I cannot fathom what goes on in the minds of those behind this besides greed. The meaning of sustaniable development is obviously lost amongst the dollar signs.

IF ANYONE IS ORGANIZING A PROTEST, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW! GENERALISSIMO, RAPTOR, TURTLE, JJ, AND ANY OTHER OPPOSERS, PLEASE CALL ME: 236-2200 - LETS ORGANIZE ONE OURSELVES. THEY'LL BE BULLDOZING OVER MY DEAD BODY!

[Rosalind Wingate on 10.01.07 at 02:37]

One more point for those that are in support of the 'modern design concept' with direct reference to Graeme's quote: "I do not understand why change is feared so much on this Island"

As has been pointed out by many of us in opposition, these plans resemble something found in the Carribean, Florida, Hawaii, Dubai...anywhere but Bermuda. Building something like that here in Bermuda might be a 'refreshing' change for Bermuda but it is nothing new for the rest of the world. In allowing such a structure to be built here, we continue the process of homogenization that is plaguing the planet. Generations from now, there will be no reason to travel, as you will be guaranteed an experiance that is no more unique than your own backyard. What makes Bermuda a destination worth the expense to get here is that it is still NOT like everywhere else. For generations, we have not been resisting change but simply preserving our heritage. As our surroundings have become less and less of a departure from the East Coast, our tourism figures have declined. While you, Graeme, may see this as a 'a Great project for Bermuda Tourism" I (and many others) see it as another nail in the coffin of Bda Tourism.

I am very surprised and dissapointed to see such support coming from someone such as yourself.

And now, I must go to bed!

[VB on 10.01.07 at 08:50]

I have given 18 years of service to the tourism industry. All of it has been very much on a one to one basis with the visitor. This is much more than an over the counter or brief encounter as in restaurant service or a taxi ride. I am talking about hours at a time with visitors talking to them individually.

Over & over I was told that what makes Bermuda special is what is DIFFERENT about the place. The attraction is accomodation such as Cambridge Beaches, Reefs, Pompano, Horizons & similar not the mega resort hotel that can be found anywhere in the world.

The owners of the Southlands property have every right to develop it. If we don't want to see it developed we had better be prepared to purchase it, at the going real estate value rate. Failing that, the owners should be held to whatever zoning, setback & other restrictions there are covering the property by Government. Enforcement of these should protect much of the existing natural features of the property.

Why anyone wishes to invest in Bermuda tourism at this time is beyond me. Sure the lower fares have helped a bit but the travel trend these days is for long weekend 'getaways', Thurs to Mon, not the weeklong vacations of decades ago. We can't fill the beds we have now. Bermudians don't want to work in the hotels. There is alot more competion in alternate destinations & the opening of Cuba is looming over the horizon for US travelers.

A few are looking for quick profit at Southlands & those few do not include Mr & Mrs Average Bermudian.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 10.01.07 at 09:08]

Rosalind,I see this project in helping the rebirth of Tourism.I love this stretch of Beach and like you have been trespassing on it for years. Astwood Cove has been saved just around the corner for the people of Bermuda,and offers the same natural setting. Unless there is someone out there with serious money to buy Southlands and preserve it as a Park,it is going to be developed. You know as well as I do that whole area has been in benign neglect for over thirty years. You cannot after all those years of free use expect that your emotional ties to this area is enough to prevent this deveopment. I think this area is perfect for hotel development. I think a far more vital piece to save is Morgan's Point and the land from the French Property down to High Point. I like your father have seen Bermuda trasformed to Suburbia from the late fifties until the eighties. You have to pick your battles and I do not think the Southlands development will be the disaster you make out.I think the developers will be doing a considerable amount to enhance the woodlands and preserve and enhance the wildlife on the property.If people want the Government to protect the enviroment more then they have to elect more MPS that deeply care about the enviroment,or create a political movement based on such philosophy.The NLP is such a party but we have been Plutoed by the voters to this point. Maybe it will take your generation to protect the remaining open space by getting involved politically. Bermuda could have an emerald necklace of Parks joined by the railway right of way and the tribe roads.I am not against the Southlands project.I pick my battles and try to win a few. I remain fixed that this development will be positive for Bermuda.

[Casual Observor on 10.01.07 at 10:31]

Raptor -

My point is that there are two potentially separate issues being debated on this thread - the first being the use of SDOs and the second is the destruction of the area to make way for the resort. Notwithstanding the flippant use of SDOs and protests, the project may in fact proceed anyway.

Would the protesters be any less incensed if the cliff face were saved and 96 condo units were placed on the land instead...? My point is that subject to Planning approval individuals are free to build whatever it is that they please on private property and the bottom line will always be THE bottom line.

[J Starling on 10.01.07 at 18:18]

I think that this issue touches on a number of different issues. For one, it touches on our committment to sustainable development, and what does that mean for us as a people. That I think was the thrust of the SD project that was initiated last year. It also calls into question the concepts of economic independence/dependence, how do we tackle these issues; what kind of tourism do we want here - the 'Old Tourism' that benefits only the foreign multi-nationals and local elites IRRESPECTIVE OF COLOUR or a 'New Tourism'that is sustainable both from an economic and an ecological point of view, that involves mass community participation and control, that benefits not the global mega-rich and their local satraps of the island's elite but the people as a whole? What is our relation to nature, is it something for us to extract profit at all costs, is it intrinsically worth preserving as nature, or only of value when transformed into a commodity to be exchanged for private profit? Can the system of property relations that we have be reformed to allow for community control on issues that, though privately owned, impact on the entire community?; Or is it neccesary to construct an entirely new system based on th epremise of empowering the masses as opposed to facilitating and enhancing the power of the rich minority? How did this rich minority come about in the first place? What should be our relationship to foreign businesses? Should we do business with companies that are involved in human rights abuses, in labour laws violations, in general 'bad' capital? Are all multi-nationals 'bad' or can we work the system to ensure corporate social and ecological responsibility beyond slogans? What power do we have to speak truth to power?

[Teacher on 10.01.07 at 19:52]

Peeople have been migrating for years, moving from place to place in search of a better life and future.

When I look at developments like this I feel it is time to leave Bermuda behind and search for a place where there is a green future, open space and a common sense approach to development.

Someone had better record some oral history from older Bermudians about what life was like before 100% urbanisation.

[SmokingGun on 10.01.07 at 21:07]

J Starling - you have written some good letters to the editor and your recent comments are important to consider as well. We have an opportunity to create balance and follow a path of sustainable development but I just don't see the vision from our leaders. Catering to one particular segment of the world market on such a small island can lead to some dire consequences for the less well off unless we have a clearly defined road map that accomodates everyone.

Speaking of road maps, I got to thinking about the tunnel. One big concern is that the South Shore Road is a major artery for Bermuda traffic. If an accident should occur in the tunnel then we will have a serious problem. Above ground people can pull off the side of the road and get around a crash site - not so in a tunnel. I'm also concerned about the design of having just a couple of openings. When it rains this will create wet spots on the road that could cause slippery conditions.

But on the lighter side can you imagine being above ground having a nice lawn cocktail party ruined when The Longtails on their imported Harley's coming cruising along? Talk about a perfect set of woofers!

[SmokingGun on 13.01.07 at 14:05]

Letter to the editor in the RG:

Why do I return?
December 29, 2006
Dear Sir,
Today's front page (December 29) details both a proposed hotel development that would breach the "Section 34 land protection agreement" and the permission granted motorcyclists who will violate "Bermuda's strict regulations on motorbikes."
What common denominator explains Bermuda's willingness to sabotage its law? Could it be money? Never mind the rotting hulks of other luxury resorts, all defunct, or two days of noise sufficient to raise the Island's dead. Let short term profit justify choices that will further degrade an island out of touch with its past and blind to its clamorous future.
I am a regular visitor who cringes each time she returns. Why do I bother, you ask? How many visitors ask the same question and turn away, forever? But I'm puzzled: do Bermuda's people notice these abuses? Do they care?
MIRIELLE ST. ETIENNE
Paget and Morbihan, France"

Our government will spend millions on consultants this year. This cost us nothing and yet is worth more than all the consultants combined. We should put together a concerted effort to hear more from our visitors and get their true feelings before we spend any time or money pushing through all these SDO's.

[Andrew on 14.01.07 at 14:21]

Imagine opening a restaurant with one item on the menu - chicken burgers. Standing behind the counter, asking diners why they come to your restaurant will likely yield a response of "...because I like your chicken burgers." If the restaurant's sales volume declined by 60% and you kept asking diners the same question, do you think the answer would change?

If you ask a Bermuda tourist what they want in a tourism product, the response will be predictable. The likely response will be that they came here for the experience offered by the traditional Bermudian tourism product. In resurrecting the tourism industry, trumpeting the values of the traditional Bermudian tourism product is a mistake. The failure of the tourism product to change along with changing demand is what has caused the tourism industry to suffer a decline. There are fewer people interested in the traditional Bermudian tourism product. To gain market share, you need to find out what people who aren't coming to Bermuda are looking for in a tourism product and provide it.

The proposed development is a refreshing change from the boring Bermuda tourism product. Yes, it has some aesthetic flaws, but there is no question such a development will appeal to different travelers that do not fit the perception of a typical Bermuda tourist.

It is a private development on private land. The land appears ideally suited for the proposed purpose. This shouldn't outrage the public, but the circumvention of the planning process by SDO should. It is disturbing. The trend toward using SDOs is indicative of poor governance and should concern all Bermudians. The changing tourism product should be welcomed.

[Turtle on 16.01.07 at 09:03]

It is not only the trend towards using SDOs which which should be of concern - according to yesterday's gazette a large section of this property is also covered by a Section 34 Agreement which will have to be overturned to carry out the development.

[Bob Masters on 23.01.07 at 13:18]

The Minister of the Environment, Neletha Butterfield, is quoted in the Royal Gazette as saying the following:

'We can look back at tourism and what happened at the end of 2006. There has been growth. With the growth, do we have the beds to accomodate? You don't want to get in the news or in the public domain that we are having this big event (PGA Grand Slam of Golf) and there's not enough bed space. This is where we have to be careful. We have to move on these developments that are coming'.

I would comment that the present Government has already put the 'cart before the horse' as the number of hotel beds WILL NOT increase before October 2007. So why does the Minister bring this up as a likely justification for the use of SDO's?

My second comment is that Bermuda can only fill the present hotel beds when there is a special event happening. The rest of the time, there are PLENTY of hotel beds available. So why do we need all these new hotel beds when we cannot fill the ones we have now?

The developers of these hotel complexes only want to come to Bermuda and build high-end residential units (affordable only to the wealthy), make their profit and get out. The hotel component is an add-on to get the Govenment's approval and tax benefits. Bermudians will be left with all the c---: more foreign workers to build the structures and then staff the hotels, more cars for the foreign owners and staff, more congestion on the roads, more pollution, more trash etc. etc. More stress for Bermudians, as if we need any more! Less and less open space for the birds and wildlife.

I am not optimistic that any of these SDO's will be turned down by this Minister. She has already granted one in July 2006 by changing the zoning at Loughlands from tourism to residential, preventing the public from objecting to this re-zoning or the proposed development.

It would be interesting for the general public to know what constitutes 'national importance' for an SDO to be issued but I guess from the 'no comment' response from the Minister, we will never know.

[SmokingGun on 23.01.07 at 14:29]

"You don't want to get in the news or in the public domain that we are having this big event (PGA Grand Slam of Golf) and there's not enough bed space."

Cruise ships my dear, the rest of the world uses them for short term accomodation. They come and they go. Just like the people. And more often than not they take their crap with them.

Me thinks our Minister of the Environment has tunnel vision.

[Alex M. DeCouto on 23.01.07 at 16:46]

On the subject of what "warrants" an SDO, the Act actually does not specify the rationality in any way, be it for emergencies or national interest or whatever.

The exact wording from the Development and Planning Act 1974 (ammended 1997) is:

Development orders

15 (1) The Minister may by order (in this Act referred to as a "development order") provide for the granting of planning permission.

(2) A development order may either —
(a) itself grant planning permission for development specified in the order, or for development of any class so specified; or
(b) in respect of development for which planning permission is not granted by the order itself, provide for the granting of planning permission by the Board on an application in that behalf made to the Board in accordance with the order.
(3) A development order may be made either as a general order applicable (subject to such exceptions as may be specified therein) to all land, or as a special order applicable only to such land as may be so specified.

(4) Planning permission granted by a development order may be granted either unconditionally or subject to such conditions or limitations as may be specified in the order.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) where planning permission is granted by a development order for the erection, extension or alteration of any buildings, the order may require the approval of the Board to be obtained with respect to the design or external appearance of the buildings.

(6) Any provision of a development order whereby planning permission is granted for the use of land for any purpose on a limited number of days in a period specified in that provision shall (without prejudice to the generality of references in this Act to limitations) be taken to be a provision granting planning permission for the use of land for any purpose subject to the limitation that the land shall not be used for any one purpose in pursuance of that provision on more than that number of days in that period.

For everyone's info - all SDO's are available for download at Bermudalaws.bm. Strangely, the Southlands one is not. They may still be writing it?

SDO's are not carte blanche approval to develop, as noted in Section 5, the minister can, and almost always does, insist that the DAB give approval for design/construction. The minister can also throw in any other requirements as he/she sees fit.

Do not take my arguments to be a general endorsement of the use of SDO's. I have already stated that their use has been precipitated by a planning department which is unable to cope with current demands. But that should not detract from analyzing each SDO on its own merits. Simply pointing out that there are lots, or that they should only be used if WW3 is upon us and we need to make Devonshire into an airfield, are not effective arguments.

[J Starling on 30.01.07 at 21:18]

If anyone has watched todays evening news (30/01/07) it seems as if Premier dr. Brown has confirmed that which was widely known before, that the Southlands development is a 'fait accompli.' I believe from his speech and the articles in the Bda Sun that his argument for the development can be formulated as such:

1) It is important to diversify the economy in order to ensure the country is not critically damaged should international business cease growing (which could happen at the strike of the pen in the hands of a US President I hear).

2) With our lack of natural resources other than our people and our natural beauty, combined with our location to the US Eastern Seaboard, we must look to tourism as a way of diversifying our economy.

3) The 'tourism product' of Bermuda has not seen any major investment for at least a decade, and we are facing increased competition from the Caribbean, especially with the potential for tourism represented by Cuba.

4) He believes that the attaching of a 'brand name' like Jumeriah, will serve to rejuvenate our tourism poduct.

5) He beleives that sustainable development should not mean no development.

6) I detect a disticnt sub-plot that the plan is based on wrenching economic power away from the traditional (local white) economic power in Bermuda trhough the 1/3rd ownership of Nelson Hunt (a black Bermudian) in the project, plus the ownership of Jumeriah being 'non-white' in that they are a semitic Arab ethnicity, the Maktoums, the royal family of the Emirates.

Though this may make for a long email, I would like to quickly respond to the above premises.

1 & 2. I agree with these premises, in that it is important to diversify our economy as a necessary prerequisite to ensuring our political and economic independence. I do think however we could do more than that however, and should invest in publicly owned and controlled sustainable alternative energy production, a development of domestic food production (sustainable fisheries, agriculture (why not a loquat industry, as limited as it may be)) [known as linkages in toursim jargon].

3 & 4. Yes, our tourism product has not recieved any major investment and does require rejuvenation. However, I do not think an increasing reliance on all-inclusives, cruise ships and luxury hotels is neccessarily the way to go. As for so called 7-star hotels, such a classification is not internationally recognised and rather represents hyperbolic advertising bullsh@# on the part of the Jumeriah group. Anyone taken in by such banality should check in to MAWI for total capitalist indoctrination and slavish worship of vulgarity. Furthermore, for a Labour party, with close ties to the union movement, and committed to the ILO principles and the UN principles against racism, and that vigourously opposed the Aparthied South Africa regime, it is entirely hypocritical to even entertain the notion of doing business with an entity as Jumeriah and the Maktoums.

5. The argument that Sustainable Development shouldn't mean no development is a complete red herring and meaningless idiocy. The notion of SD means just that, development with an aim to ensuring sustainable use and not negatively impacting the culture, society and ecology of a people and place. The essential argument is not that we shouldn't develop tourism, but rather what kind of tourism should we develop, how should we go about it and who should benefit from it, local elites (regardless of melanin) or the common people of the country.

6 - Must I really respond to this? I am on the record for saying that Bermuda has a race problem. I genuinely think we are close to reconciliation, however such a chance is always precarious. I have heard of late from the generation behind me some unsettling speech. I do not believe that in order to correct the injustices of the past we turn a blind eye to the injustices of the present (the super exploitation of south-east asian workers in Dubai). Furthermore, encouraging the racial diversification of the upper class, that is the economic ruling class of Bermuda does not do one iota of good for the people of Bermuda. The PLP was elected with the mandate to do better than the UBP. It was not elected to show that a 'Black' government could do just as well (or badly) as a 'White' government. It was elected to help the people build a new Bermuda, not to perpetuate economic dictatorship, or an oligarchy, only minus the trappings of white supremacy. Affirmative action does not mean diversifying the rich and making the rich richer, provided that they make the rich more balanced from a melanin point of view.

The government is committed, it says, to empowerment, to empowering the people. I understood this to mean increasing the role of the people in the decision making process, especially in matters of 'national importance' which is the definition of Special Development Orders usage. Yes, we need tourism, but we must involve the whole people in a discussion of tourism, of the economy, of the sustainable development of our economy, our people and our culture.

No Party is infallible; no Party Constitution is infallible; no Cabinet, and no Premier is infallible. I believe the PLP has done much for the people of Bermuda, but they have so far squandered the ability to really do a lot of great things for the people. The Southlands development is a fools errand, a Judas style sell out of our people, heritage and country for some petty pieces of silver.

[SmokingGun on 30.01.07 at 21:58]

Dissension in the ranks Agent Starling? I just wish there were more like you willing to deal with the real issues that will affect all of us.

[Casual Observer on 31.01.07 at 09:07]

I'm actually pissed off that the Premier has labeled Tourism as a matter of national importance... What about Housing? Education? These figures clearly indicate that we are in CRISIS mode in these areas, but we're worried about increasing the bed count on the island.

Yeah, let's bring all the tourists here so they can be robbed by the homeless, lawless 'natives' who never graduated from high school!

[J Starling on 31.01.07 at 09:14]

Casual Observer - I do think that the Government is quite aware of the crisis in housing and education; I think you will see an increasing emphasis on critically reviewing what has been done and seeking to do it better. I do think however we should empower the people by facilitating public discussion, townhall meetings, workplace meetings, nieghbourhood meetings and the exisiting organisations, on these issues, right down to putting together a truly national budget and allocation of finances and the free discussion of all ideas. But yes, I do think we need to fix the housing, education and general social ills we have here before embarking on ill-informed SDOs.

[Graeme Outerbridge on 31.01.07 at 09:15]

Done deal boys and girls...build the Emerald neckless,save Morgans Point,save High Point....Link all Parks..finish the railway right of way Park.....Feel the Love.Kiss Kiss me ^..^

[Bob Masters on 31.01.07 at 09:42]

J Starling,

I agree with everything you are saying. The present Government looks more like the Government for 'big business' and the mega-wealthy, to the detriment of the average Bermudian.

You are right to bring up the abuse of south-east Asians in Dubai, as the majority of Jumeriah hotels are located there.

It is a total farce to say that Bermudian workers will benefit from this project (there will be some, of course) when it is a well-known fact that it is virtually impossible to live on this Island earning a hotel worker's salary (except the more senior jobs). Most Bermudians, with a family, will not be able to afford it. The resort owners will need to maintain low salaries to sustain a viable '7-star' resort here. My guess is that the resort will employ mostly foreign workers from Asia, Bangledesh, etc. for the service positions and bring in more foreign workers, probably Europeans, for the restaurant/spa/banqueting positions.

I like your suggestions about diversifying the economy with sustainable agriculture and fisheries projects. As you may have seen in my most recent letter to the Royal Gazette, I wonder if this Government is really committed to Sustainable Development at all!

I enjoy your thoughtful posts so keep on posting.

[abc on 31.01.07 at 10:43]

Tourism IS a matter of national importance. Never did the Premier or anyone else say that Housing and Education are NOT matters of national importance. They are all important and need attention.

Revitalizing and reenergizing tourism will hopefully enable more Bermudians to partake of the economic pie. Before the UBP strategically and methodically eradicated tourism from Bermuda's infrastructure, in favor of International Business many Bermudians made very good livings off the Tourism Industry. They have suffered since international business has taken over Bermuda. International business will never afford a great portion of Bermudians to success. We will never be qualified enough or experienced enough (in their eyes) to run the show. So we need to diversify our economy. IB has brought a lot to Bermuda, we cannot deny, but it has also hurt us. Hopefully once tourism is brought to higher heights more Bermudians will be able to participate in the economic success.

I personally believe we can successfully accomplish all three aspects - Tourism, Housing, and Education, but we have to realize that we all have to play a part. We want the government to fix everything but we are so selfish that we only want them to do what we want them to do.

We want Tourism revitalized, but please don't build anywhere.

[Casual Observer on 31.01.07 at 13:11]

Revitalizing tourism is not going to help the average Bermudian when fundamental needs such as Education and Housing still aren't met.

abc -

In the grand scheme of things if you polled the average Bermudian, the revitalization of tourism would be very near the bottom of the list. The average Bermudian could probably care less. I fail to see how reviving tourism will contribute much, if anything, to the average Bermudian.

[Michael Fahy on 31.01.07 at 13:24]

The following is a cause of concern to me and should be to every other Bermudian regarding the no-longer “proposed” Southlands development. As noted by others it appears to be a fait accompli – in fact check out the website of the Jumeirah Group – Bermuda is already posted as being ready in 2008 (www.jumeirah.com).

“Mr. Lawless said he met Dr. Brown when he visited Dubai a year ago and had been impressed by the Tourism Minister's invitation to consider Bermuda a possible location for a future resort. He said the speed with which things had been arranged to facilitate such a development had impressed him further.”

"We feel Bermuda suits Jumeirah. We are looking for business and leisure visitors and we are committed to developing in the western hemisphere. Bermuda is one of the few places on earth that has been enhanced by human habitation," said Mr. Lawless, who previously has overseen the Forte Hotel Group in Bermuda and the Caribbean.

A few things of note: Last year Limey posed various questions to Dr Brown about his stay at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, part of the Jumeirah chain. His questions were as follows, with Dr Brown’s response under that:

Dear Dr. Brown
I was concerned to read in today's Bermuda Sun that during your recent trip to Dubai you stayed at the Burj Al Arab hotel at the Bermuda taxpayers' expense. I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions regarding your stay. 1. How many nights were you there? 2. What was your total hotel bill? 3. What did you learn about the hotel and its standards during your stay?
4. How will you use this knowledge to benefit the Bermudian taxpayer?
Kind regards,
Phil

Dear Phil:
Your "concern" is noted.
The first two questions fall into the "plantation" category. I am sure I have sent you in the past a definition of same. However I can refer you to the office of the Auditor General or the Accountant General for further information. Re questions 3 and 4, I would be delighted to sit down with you after I report to the Government next week. P.S. The Burj Al Arab is an incredible destination!

I am not sure if Limey ever received an answer to the first two questions but I guess we now have an answer to the third and fourth questions – in short it would appear that Dr Brown was there to sell off portions of Bermuda last year. Mr Lawless says himself he met Dr Brown last year – we can only suppose it was at the Burj Al Arab. I would now like a response to the first two questions Phil posed. Was Dr Brown’s trip paid for by the Jumeirah group or was it funded by the Government? In addition what contracts if any were signed on that trip? What agreements were made? What promises were given during the meetings and or conversations between Dr Brown and Mr Lawless or his representatives? Did Dr Brown ever mention the full details of his meetings with Mr Lawless and the plans for the Southlands site? Was the entire PLP Cabinet aware of the apparent intentions behind the visit to the Burj Al Arab? The list is endless. We are entitled to answers.

This is important information, particularly given the Government’ less than forthright attitude regarding the Coco Reef Lease and indeed the numerous failed developments at the old Club Med site. When an announcement is made that says
“Jumeirah expects to open the first stage of its planned Southlands hotel resort before the end of 2008 with the entire scheme up-and-running by the end of 2010” it leads me to wonder how on earth that be said without some guarantee from the Government that ground would be broken almost immediately. As far as I know the SDO has not yet been granted by the Minister of the Environment. I suspect that if she says “no” she is out of a Cabinet post.

It has also been said in today’s paper that “Included in the plans is a ten-storey staff housing complex to be sited in Hunts Quarry. The intention is to take Bermudian staff to Jumeirah hotels overseas as part of their training programme so they can learn and match the high standards of the luxury hotel chain.”

Noble intentions indeed and certainly one I subscribe to – however where are all the staff going to come from to service the self-described seven star hotel? If Bermudians fill the posts then fantastic, but I suspect given the failure by the Government to convince Bermudians to fill the current jobs available in the hotels in existence already, the employees will come from overseas, thereby increasing the guest worker in flux.

Finally I am not against a new hotel, but I query whether Southlands is the place, particularly as Club Med sits empty (the site has equally spectacular views) and the old Sonesta is abandoned (but supposed to be redeveloped). It seems to me Dr Brown should slow down and consider the true ramifications to the environment and society as a whole in Bermuda before embarking on such a project – especially when we are short on the details of the likely arrangements between the Government and the Jumeirah Group.

[Casual Observer on 31.01.07 at 13:33]

"We want the government to fix everything but we are so selfish that we only want them to do what we want them to do."

And that's their job. The people should define what does and does not constitute a matter of 'national importance' and I think the numbers speak for themselves. Again, I think 90% of Bermudians would see Education and Housing as taking precedence over Tourism. We want them to do SOMETHING. Where is the selfishness in that?

These private hotel developments are only going to benefit a handful of people. As Bob Masters pointed out above, the majority of those employed by these hotels will very likely NOT be Bermudian.

I am sick and tired of hearing these grand announcements regarding Tourism, Hotels, etc. {Sidenote: a portion of Southlands is apparently designated as fractional ownership... Hmmm... wonder if these 'owners' are going to be allowed vehicles'} The people of Bermuda are being TOLD what is best for us. I don't know about you, but I'm not keen to have things rammed down the back of my throat. Especially when the people (and the figures) are telling the Government what we need.

The rebuilding of tourism is presumably going to take some time... what do we tell those people that are homeless in the meantime. We have had announcements about housing iniatives, but can you tell me one project that has come to fruition over the past 2 years or so since it became such a hot button issue!? NONE! Southside has stalled, Loughlands seems to have stalled. The fact that there are 500 people on a waiting list for 96 units (which hasn't even gotten off the ground yet), but we're having Jumireh rammed down our throats speaks volumes about where the governments priorities lie in the midst of dismal graduation rates and a lousy housing situation.

Yeah. I'm a little bitter.

[abc on 31.01.07 at 13:53]

Casual Observer

Why do you say Loughlands has stalled? Did you expect the developments to be completed by now? From what I have been told (which may not be gospel) construction has begun on the units.

Yes the government is there to do what is in the public's best interests. However they are also there to use their discretion as to what is important at a particular time. We give them the mandate by electing them, they then govern as they see fit. If you dont want them in the government then vote them out. Just be careful because the grass is not always greener. Vote the UBP in, and see what mess may be made!

"As far as I know the SDO has not yet been granted by the Minister of the Environment. I suspect that if she says “no” she is out of a Cabinet post."

Michael Fahy - unless she steps up to the plate and anounces "we had to deceive you."