Advocacy for Bermuda’s heritage has always been a part of BNT’s mandate. This can present problems, as it has led to BNT being seen by some as the organisation that says “No”. In fact, we weigh up very carefully the merits of any objection that we make and endeavour to take a balanced view that takes into account economic and social factors in addition to natural and cultural heritage concerns.
When it comes to Planning applications, we object to only a very small fraction of those submitted. Our decision to object is guided by whether the development abides by the Bermuda Plan 2018 and/or the regulations governing listed buildings, and whether the issue is deemed of national significance.
Southampton Princess SDO (SDO0001-23)

BNT remains opposed to the revised Special Development Order for the Fairmont Southampton hotel site. Taken as a whole, the changes are minimal and the plans still show massive overdevelopment. This new proposal does not go anywhere near enough to satisfy the concerns of the Bermuda National Trust, nor do we think the thousands of Bermudians who protested the original plans will be satisfied that their voices have truly been heard.
If you wish to fight this development we recommend that you:
- Write to Premier Burt (premier@gov.bm) and Minister Roban (wroban@parliament.bm). Hard copy letters should be sent to The Cabinet Office, 105 Front Street, Hamilton HM12
- Write to your MP – click here for contact details.
- Submit a formal objection to the SDO via Planning. Click here for a step by step guide on how to submit your objection to Planning.
- Sign this petition.
- Click here to download a sample objection letter. We suggest you add any points you personally feel are relevant to add weight to your submission.
Recent Articles:
Royal Gazette: Fairmont SDO changes just “tokenism” – National Trust
Royal Gazette: New Images Show Scale of Fairmont Southampton Plans
Royal Gazette: Column: Best Express Concerns About SDO
Royal Gazette: Point of order, Sir John
Royal Gazette: More than ‘just a building’
Royal Gazette: Still looking for the facts
Royal Gazette: Engineer faults Fairmont Southampton SDO
Southlands National Park – Events Lawn and Public Parking
The Bermuda Housing Corporation, which owns the Bermudiana Beach Resort on South Road in Warwick, has been seeking permission to build an events lawn on woodland to the west of the resort that is part of the Southlands Park. The proposal for the events lawn and car park was rejected more than once by the National Parks Commission and the application for development was opposed by the Bermuda National Trust, the Bermuda Audubon Society and BEST.
The Development Applications Board rejected the application for the events lawn and parking lot on 5 April 2023. That refusal was appealed to the Minister of the Environment. BNT wrote to the Minister proposing that the car park should be relocated on the brownfield site to the west of the Southlands beach entrance. The application for the car park was subsequently withdrawn, but we await the minister’s decision on the events lawn. In the video below, Myles Darrell explains why we are fighting to save this valuable area of coastal woodland.
Devonshire Marsh
In March 2023, BNT submitted a joint appeal with BEST and the Bermuda Audubon Society against Planning’s decision to allow the building of three large warehouses, including five residential units, on the Island Construction site in Devonshire Marsh. Against the recommendation of an independent planning inspector, Environment Minister Walter Roban rejected our appeal and allowed the development to go ahead. You can read our media statement on the subject here.