The Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce is an environmental watchdog whose mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life on island for present and future generations. We engage with the community to advocate for sustainable management and development of the physical, social and economic environments.

As a campaigner for the preservation of Bermuda’s limited and diminishing green open spaces over the past 17 years, BEST reviews and, when required, objects to planning applications that propose development that will impact land with protective zonings.

We may also file a request for action/complaint when development occurs without an application or involves prohibited activities on protected land. Several 2024 news articles detailed such infractions. In some cases, BEST is contacted by members of the community who prefer not to make complaints directly, for fear of repercussions. In either case, BEST will make a formal complaint concerning threats and abuses to areas with conservation or protective designations.

Those complaints should be an effective means for such reporting and resolving an infringement. In our experience, however, that process gets a failing grade, because of the following:

• It is unlikely that the submitter will get a response within ten working days as indicated, if at all

• The information submitted is not always treated as confidential. There are instances where the “complainee” — the person being complained about — has been made aware of the complaint. This can serve to discourage persons from submitting concerns or complaints at all

• Of the numerous complaints submitted by BEST and others, few have been resolved in any meaningful way

Read more here: https://www.royalgazette.com/opinion-writer/opinion/article/20250128/strong-enforcement-demanded-of-planning-department/