Letters to the Editor, July 2, 2025 – The Royal Gazette
Dear Sir,
The Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Audubon Society and Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce are deeply concerned about the proposed café and car park development outlined for Southlands park. While investment in Bermuda’s public spaces is essential and a small car park for Southlands in this location is appropriate, this particular application represents a troubling example of overdevelopment, inadequate planning and disregard for public input.
Before any new planning application is approved for Southlands — especially one of this scale — the Bermuda Government must fulfil its legal and ethical obligation to present a comprehensive management plan for the entire park. This is not a minor administrative detail; it is a clear requirement of the National Parks Act, which demands cohesive, long-term planning for all designated national parks. Piecemeal applications undermine public trust and the very foundation of park governance in Bermuda.
Moreover, this development stands in direct contradiction to feedback received during previous public consultations. At every opportunity, members of the public have emphasised their preference for light-touch, conservation-first approaches at Southlands — yet this application proposes substantial infrastructure including:
• A large café structure — 5,238sq ft with potential seating for 120
• 51 car parking spaces
• 76 cycle parking spaces
• 9 minibus and taxi bays
There is no publicly available business case or park visitation analysis justifying the need for such extensive development, nor any discussion of how these facilities will be maintained long term.
Before this application moves forward, the public deserve answers:
• What is the total cost to taxpayers for the planned amenities?
• What is the operational and maintenance model for these facilities?
• What are the concession details and terms for private business use of the café and amenities?
• Has a transparent value analysis been completed to show benefit to Bermuda?
• What assessments have been made on the impact to neighbouring residents and existing local restaurants?
Equally concerning is the absence of input from the National Parks Commission, a statutory body that ensures that the voices of park users, the Bermuda Tourism Authority and environmental organisations are considered when making decisions about our parks.
The commission has only just been reconvened after the February election and has not had the opportunity to review these plans.
This proposal is also happening in a broader context of declining park standards island-wide. The Department of Parks is operating with roughly one-third fewer staff than needed, according to previous estimates. Many of Bermuda’s “priority” beaches suffer from broken, unhygienic and frequently unusable facilities. Surely it makes sense to direct funding to improved and regularly maintained amenities at these sites rather than overdevelopment at Southlands.
There are also serious concerns about promoting increased use of Southlands Beach. As many people know, it is not a safe swimming beach; it is frequently subject to rip currents and there are many dangerous submerged rocks. An expert safety evaluation should be conducted before even considering encouraging increased use of this shoreline.
We support investment in public parks — but only when it is guided by strategy, consultation and ecological responsibility. Southlands is an exceptional green space with unique natural and historical value. It should not be overbuilt to meet unclear or unfounded objectives.
We urge members of the public to speak out if they agree, and submit their objections to Planning Application P0157-25 by the July 4 deadline.
Bermuda does not need more underfunded, overbuilt public parks. What we need is responsible stewardship, transparency and meaningful investment in the natural spaces we all treasure.
KAREN BORDER
Executive director
Bermuda National Trust
HEATHER BOTTELLI
President
Bermuda Audubon Society
KIM SMITH
Executive director
BEST
