Opinion Article by Kim Smith, Executive Director of BEST – The Royal Gazette, December 19, 2025

Bermudians are being asked to accept one of the largest development proposals in our modern history: 250 new residential and tourism units, some of which are on protected land, under the proposed Fairmont Southampton SDO.

The developers promise jobs, investment and a revived hotel. But when you look closely at what has been submitted, those promises rely on vague information, unproven assumptions and costs borne by the public. These long-term costs will not be borne by the developers, who will likely sell off the properties and then be gone.

The problems begin with the SDO itself. Its most basic purpose is to define the type and number of units permitted in each phase. Yet, Phase 1A (“Turtle Hill”) contains no defined unit numbers, while Phase 1B (“Golf Units”) allows for 159 tourism units, even though the overall development is capped at 159 tourism units in total. The document assumes Phase 1A will be completed first, imposes conditions that apply to the entire site, and then states that phases need not be completed in sequence. It even misstates the date of the referenced legislation. These are not minor drafting issues; they go to the heart of what is being approved.

Who reviewed this legislation before it was tabled? As far as we can be aware, no objections or even questions have been raised in the House under the negative resolution procedure, meaning there was no scrutiny given. No one stood up to say the document contained errors that should be corrected before becoming law, or to question the long-term costs to the community.

Read more here: https://www.royalgazette.com/opinion-writer/opinion/article/20251219/the-senate-should-annul-the-fairmont-southampton-sdo/