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The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce

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Battle over beach bar

Residents ready to rumble over Warwick Long Bay plan
Angry residents are launching an island-wide protest to stop a “disgusting” beach bar ruining the island’s “most pristine beach.”

Residents have joined forces with Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) to fight the controversial bar and restaurant at Warwick Long Bay.

On-site protests, petitions and public meetings are all in the pipeline “to raise everyone’s attention to what is happening.”

Abut 40 residents and BEST - who are expected to call themselves the Warwick Long Bay Action Group - attended a meeting on Wednesday evening ready to go “full steam ahead with their protest.”

They are warning developer Belcario Thomas, who has been given the go-ahead for his controversial proposal, that he has a fight on his hands.

Entrepreneur Mr. Thomas believes the bar, which will be on temporary wooden decking above the sand dunes, will “broaden the offerings” to tourists at a time the island needs it most.

But residents believe it’s a “disgusting example of how making money is more important than preserving our heritage.” Warwick West MP Mark Pettingill said: “The residents have a number of valid concerns regarding the environment, noise and traffic and they don’t think they have been heard.

“All they can do now is protest, they are determined to make sure all roads have been exhausted.”

He added: “Their paramount concern is that because of the nature of the small island, we need to preserve the natural state of our land.

“There’s a fine line between preservation and progress in the name of tourism. Once natural beauty has gone, it’s gone, it can’t be brought back.”

Plan of action

A 37-year-old local resident, who didn’t want to be named, said they had called on the expertise of BEST to “develop a plan of action.”

She said: “We cannot just sit by and let it happen, we will make our voices heard.

“The next step is to organize petitions, town hall meetings and on-site protests.

“We aren’t going to let this go, we are going to make sure everyone knows just what is happening.

“And this isn’t just about local residents, it’s an island-wide issue, it affects everyone as it could be the start of things to come.”

About 100 residents launched a collective objection to the original planning application, which was stalled after the Development Application Board (DAB) decided it breached regulations. However, the developers appealed and Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney ruled in their favour.

The mom, who lives near Warwick Long Bay, said it was now “full-steam ahead with getting the word out there.”

She added: “We are extremely disappointed that the minister granted permission without giving any real reasoning and despite the advice of experts.

“Residents have been opposed to this development from the inception and we have taken all the correct channels of action that were open to us. We won’t let this happen”

Environmentalist Stuart Hayward, said BEST and residents agreed that “education and information” was needed.

He said: “We brainstormed our options and all ideas were put on the table.

“The residents are ready to launch a campaign and have each agreed on different tasks to alert the public to what is going on.”

Mr. Hayward, who helped residents stop the Southlands development nearby in Warwick, added: “This is the most pristine beach in Bermuda’s arsenal of tourist attractions.

“Some tourists don’t want to see alcohol and litter on a beach, they want a restful vacation without any commercial activity.

“We are drawing the line here as if they honour commercial use on this beach, it will throw open the door for others to follow.”

Deborah Titterton-Narraway, who lives near Warwick Long Bay, called it “totally the wrong location” and said she would prefer existing beach bars to be “utilized to the best of their ability.”

The mom-of-two uses Warwick Long Bay “all the time” with her family and doesn’t want its natural beauty to be destroyed.

Mrs. Titterton-Narraway said: “It’s a totally natural environment, you can walk the dog along the trails and you pass horses or the regiment marching. All that would be affected by a business being there.

“The reason Warwick Long Bay beach is so popular because it is natural and quiet. The people who use this beach do so to avoid the tourist attraction at Horseshoe Bay, Tobacco Bay and Snorkel Park.

“People should be free to choose a public beach with a restaurant or one without.”

Mrs. Titterton-Narraway is most worried about the level of noise, as residents are already disturbed by beach parties and events on the beach in the summer, and safety as the beach has an extreme drop off of the sand level and also a strong current.

She said: “The level of noise coming from the music and bar customers is a huge concern. Sounds travel, especially at night. We are already fighting someone else’s noise and it’s not pleasant.”

Developer Mr. Thomas and Minister Blakeney were not available for comment.

The Warwick Long Bay Action Group will hold another meeting next month. Anyone who wants further information can email info@best.org.bm

Contact BEST

If you wish to contact BEST with any comments, concerns or questions:

info@best.org.bm

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Warwick Long Bay beach bar to go ahead

The Bermuda Sun reports, December 5th, 2008.

But environmentalists are livid, and claim it will ‘wreck’ the south shore beach
A row has reignited over a new beach bar and restaurant after Government gave the controversial project the green light.
Belcario Thomas, the entrepreneur behind the proposed development at Warwick Long Bay, yesterday defended the plan, saying it would “broaden the offerings” to tourists at a time the island needs it most.
He also said his management team is working closely with Government conservationists to ensure the restaurant has as little negative impact as possible.
However, environmentalists are furious, saying new Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney steamrollered the scheme through the planning objections of experts. The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) said the “sickening” disregard of safeguards and regulations “opens the door to the wrecking of every last beach on our coastline.”
The plan originally stalled after the Development Application Board (DAB) decided it breached regulations. However, the developers appealed and Mr. Blakeney ruled in their favour.
Environmentalist Stuart Hayward said: “Warwick Long Bay is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and most pristine of Bermuda’s beaches. If its rank, supported by laws and regulations, cannot protect this special beach from commercial development, then no beach is safe.
“What we are seeing here is the opening of the door to the wrecking of every last beach on our coastline … with this decision we are selling out our heritage and an environmental treasure. Every Bermuda resident should take note of and take issue with this decision,” he said.
Mr. Hayward also said the community should ask, “What is the point of laws and regulations and the expert counsel of planners, conservation specialists, custodians of parklands, and even an independent inspector if a minister can ignore it all, and in the process endorse the trashing of the very environment he is pledged to protect?
“One would have thought that a new Minister with little background in environmental matters would have the good sense to make a decision based on sound advice.”
Mr. Hayward said the community must also ask, “What is to be gained by this development? This is no benefit to tourism. This is of no benefit to the residents. Any jobs created will likely require imported workers. If tourists or residents want to visit a beach with commercial facilities, they have plenty of options, from Tobacco Bay to Horseshoe Bay and beyond.
He continued: “This is of no special benefit to anyone, except a private individual who will now capitalise on private enterprise conducted on sacred public parkland.”
Mr. Thomas, responded by saying that the beach bar would help attract tourists at a time of economic downturn.
He said: “Similar offerings along the beaches of Tobacco Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and others have proven both responsible and popular over the years with residents and tourists alike and we are committed to providing a similar, small, low key quality product.
“Our temporary wooden structure with mobile kitchen will be minimal and easily removable and we have committed to introducing only endemic or native coastal species to the area to enhance the space as well as assist in the reduction of damage that naturally occurs.
“As an added bonus, we will renovate the existing public washroom facilities at no cost to the taxpayer,” he said.
Mr. Thomas again stressed that he and his development team would continue to consult with Government conservationists and environmentalists to ensure that the bar leaves a minimal footprint as possible on the surrounding environment.

Parks have lost conservation area zoning – BEST

An article posted in The Royal Gazette (October 2, 2008)

By Amanda Dale

An environmental pressure group has raised concerns over a lack of protection for National Parks under the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008.

The deadline for objections to the Plan is tomorrow, following four months of public consultation.

The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) has submitted several objections and recommendations to Government, which include tighter rules for Special Development Orders, greater advertisement of planning applications, and a team of environmental consultants for the Development Applications Board.

Among its main concerns however, are the removal of Open Space Reserve zoning for parkland and ‘Compact Lot’ zoning, which BEST claims will allow for higher density housing.

BEST chairman Stuart Hayward warned: “Parklands no longer have a conservation area zoning so it means they could be open for development, and that is highly significant.”

The organisation is also calling for the removal of Tourism zoning from the Southlands estate, following the transfer of the Jumeirah Southlands hotel project to Morgan’s Point.

Among its other objections is opposition to greater building heights in commercial centres across the Island.

In a statement yesterday, BEST praised planners who drafted the Plan, as doing “a sterling job in terms of making the Draft more understandable for the lay person”. However, the group raised the following objections:

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The Draft Bermuda Plan 2008

On June 6th, 2008, the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 became the operative development plan for Bermuda and will replace the 1992 Plan. It is, however, subject to a four month public consultation period which will end on October 3rd 2008.

This new development plan will govern land-use and development regulations for at least the next 10 years, and so we each have an opportunity to review the plan and to lodge our comments or objections on the appropriate ‘public consultation form’ before that deadline date in October. Sadly, the response has been very slow; far slower than that of the 1992 plan. It is up to us to change that.

At a minimum we should each be looking at our own property in this Plan, to note any zoning changes or alterations. We should also look at parklands, playgrounds school lfields, sports fields and nature reserves in our area to check that their zonings havne’t been changed. The Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 is available for inspection at the Department of Planning, online at www.planning.gov.bm, at post offices and at the national library. You can also call the Department of Planning at 297-7778 or email them at planning2@gov.bm.

We encourage you to take the future of Bermuda into your own hands, to review the plan especially as it pertains to your own area, and to make objections where you think necessary. This Plan will be an important part of our future and we should all consider its review as a part of our civic responsibility.

Report on the Fourth Caribbean Environment Forum (CEF-4)

From the 23rd to the 27th of June 2008, the Fourth Biennial Caribbean Forum (CEF-4) was held in Grenada. BEST Chair Stuart Hayward attended on behalf of BEST and produced the following report on the Conference:

CEF-4 Report

The gathering consisted of three integrated conferences:

  • The 4th Biennial Caribbean Environmental Forum (CEF-4) which was titled: Climate Change, Water and Sanitation: a Shared Responsibility
  • The 13th Annual Wider Caribbean Waste Management Conference, and
  • The 1st Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum

Among the opening Plenary Keynote speakers were the Prime Minister and the Environment Minister of Grenada. Also attending and presenting were the German and Austrian Ambassadors to the region.

All presentations and the proceedings of the conference will eventually be posted on the website of the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI), the primary host organisation for the conference.

My own paper on Tourism and the Changing Climate (attached), focused on water supply and demand, and our cultural water conservation, then and now. There was much interest in details of our collection and storage.

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Bermuda Association of Eco-Clubs (BASEC)

BEST has facilitated the formation of the Bermuda Association of Eco-Clubs (BASEC) with the following Mission Statement and Objectives:

Mission Statement:
To mould a generation of future environmental leaders through support, co-ordination and monitoring of active eco-clubs throughout Bermuda.

Objectives:

1. Engage all schools and youth organisations across Bermuda;
2. Encourage the development of the elements of leadership and best practices;
3. Create a network forum for discussion;
4. Share information and resources between the clubs;
5. Encourage individual club projects as well as BASE projects;
6. Seek to extend the environmental agenda from students to teachers and parents.

The BASEC Steering Committee is comprised of representatives from Eco-Clubs. At their first meeting, the SC chose Caitlin O’Doherty as Chair. Caitlin was the winner of the Bermuda National Trust’s “Young Environmentalist of the Year” Award for 2008.

If you know of or belong to a school or youth organisation that might want to link up with BASEC, please send an email to BASEC Chair Caitlin O’Doherty at basebda@gmail.com.

BEST Newsletter

Although BEST has been relatively quiet, the Steering Committee has been meeting regularly to discuss where we have been, where we are, and how we want to evolve in the future. We have had a fantastic year and our newsletter reflects our commitment to environmental accountability/sustainability. We also have many projects and activities that will be coming up. Please check out our upcoming events section in the newsletter. We continue to keep a watchful eye on planning applications. If you hear of anything that you think should get BEST’s attention, please send an e-mail to info@best.org.bm. Thanks!

Click here to download the BEST Newsletter

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