The addition of Southlands to the list of National Parks was welcomed yesterday by Bermuda Environment Sustainability Taskforce cofounder Stuart Hayward.

Mr Hayward said the environmental group was relieved that Southlands would at last get protection thanks to legislation passed by the House of Assembly.

The National Parks Amendment Act 1 and 2, designed to modernise National Parks legislation and related fees, were approved by MPs at the end of last month.

The move by Government marks the end of a 10-year battle, which was first launched to prevent development at the Warwick Beauty spot, by BEST to win National Park status for Southlands.

Mr Hayward said: “As I understand it, to be added to this list the park has to have a management plan, so one assumes there is now a management plan for Southlands.”

He added: “The whole process in Bermuda has been neglected because of a shortage of funds and administrative difficulties.

“What it should mean is that Southlands is now protected against being cut into pieces for different commercial purposes and interests.

Read more here: http://www.royalgazette.com/news/article/20171206/southlands-added-to-list-of-national-parks