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
