The Draft Bermuda Plan 2008 came into effect on June 6th, 2008, establishing new land use zonings and planning policies for the Island for the next 10 years. The Plan was subject to a four-month public consultation period during which BEST filed 46 objections and/or representations. Of these, 6 objections were invalid or withdrawn, primarily because they were outside of Planning’s remit; 20 were resolved either in agreement with Planning’s position or as a result of proposed policy amendments by Planning in direct response to our objection /representation; the remaining 20 were selected to go forward to a second hearing by the appointed Development Plan Tribunal.

Several members of management came on board to assist with the preparation and delivery of position papers to the Tribunal. Friends of BEST volunteers were also solicited to assist with research, writing and presenting. BEST’s presentations, on behalf of the general public, were made over 4-month period. A second team submitted counter-objections to the approximately 150 requests for the rezoning of conservation and protection area lands.
Presentations submitted by BEST will available for viewing on the BEST website by mid-March.
At an unannounced date, the Tribunal will make their recommendations to the Minister of the Environment. The Minister will in turn present his recommendations to Parliament.
BEST would like to thank all of the volunteers who worked on the Draft Development Plan effort. Without your contribution, the scope of this project would not have been possible. BEST plans to follow through on many of the key issues addressed in our response to the Draft Development Plan in 2010. If you would like to get involved or stay involved in this effort, please contact BEST.