Royal Gazette: Appeal Launched for rejected Southlands Zip Line Plan
An appeal has been launched by the company behind a rejected plan to install zip lines at Southlands in Warwick.
An agent for EDI Bermuda argued in a letter that the Development Applications Board erred in its interpretation of appropriate development within the park and that the application should have been considered alongside separate plans for a café with parking lot.
The appeal also questioned the impartiality of the National Parks Commission arguing that there was “glaring evidence of bias” shown by a member who represented the Bermuda National Trust.
The letter said: “It is a matter of fact that the BNT and the Bermuda Audubon Society jointly produced a public awareness opposition campaign to the proposed development widely distributed on social and print media.
“The NPC member for the BNT was significantly featured on camera in these opposition media campaigns.
“While each member of the NPC is, of course, entitled to form their own opinion, the presence of a NPC member publicly acting in the interests of his employer gives serious concern as to their influence within the commission.
“Given that the NPC member for the BNT was also intimately involved in public opposition to the application proposal on behalf of his employer, the impartiality of the NPC is suspect.”
Karen Border, BNT’s executive director, responded yesterday that the trust representative on the NPC was there to put forward the organisation’s position at meetings.
“He was not ‘acting in the interests of his employer’, as BNT has no material interest in whether the development goes ahead or not,” she said. “We simply have an opinion, just like all the other members of the NPC who voted on the matter.
“As a charity with environmental advocacy as part of our mandate, we are also fully entitled to share our opinion publicly.
“The accusation of bias against the BNT representative is an ad hominem attack that is wholly inappropriate and unjustified as part of EDI’s planning appeal.”
Ms Border added that the charity continued to oppose the proposal, stating: “We do not believe Southlands is the right place for such a commercial development.
“Our view is clearly shared by thousands of other Bermudians who signed a petition against the development and turned out in sizeable numbers to protest in September.”
The planning application by EDI Bermuda proposed installing a series of zip lines at to create a family-friendly attraction which it said would not disturb the environment of the park.
However, the proposal — alongside several other planning applications for the Southlands property — sparked opposition including a petition to halt development in the park which garnered more than 5,500 signatures.
The NPC voted against supporting the project by six to four, and the DAB subsequently refused to grant planning approval citing the commission’s vote and concerns about parking.
The developer formally launched an appeal against the decision this week urging Diallo Rabain, the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, to allow the plan to move forward.
Royal Gazette: Appeal Launched for rejected Southlands Zip Line Plan