Opposition says neighbours need to know exactly how residential development around Southampton Princess will impact them
One Bermuda Alliance Southampton MPs Dwayne Robinson and Linda Smith are calling on Government and Gencom to provide specific details as to how the new Special Development Order (SDO) for the Fairmont Southampton Hotel, and its associated new residential developments, will affect existing residents’ properties and neighbourhoods.
MP Smith, the Shadow Minister for Public Works & Environment notes, “As far back as 2009, there have been many iterations of Special Development Orders (SDO’s) for the Fairmont Southampton Hotel. There have also been changes back and forth on the requirement for debate and approval by Parliament. Given the significance of this project to Bermuda, we believe that Government and Gencom should acknowledge an obligation to the community to be transparent and answer questions about the overall development.”
She continues: “We believe those questions should include financial justification for the scope of the residential component and the impact the current development plans will have on the quality of life for everyday residents to continue to enjoy Bermuda’s public South Shore Road, vistas and amenities.
“‘We recognise the need for additional development to enable acceptable rate of return on a hotel investment. However, what is not clear is how Government and the developer arrived at the conclusion that the current plan is reasonable and balances beneficial fairness to the community and the developer.”
Shadow Minister for Tourism & Transport, Dwayne Robinson, looks forward to seeing the hotel reopen. “I want to be abundantly clear that the OBA supports the redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton Hotel. We look forward to the day when this iconic property is back up and running.
“That said, it is difficult to feel the same about some of the residential plans. Not enough detailed meaningful information has been shared with the public, particularly the residents of Southampton who will be most affected by the construction, increased traffic, noise and loss of open spaces.”
MP Robinson adds, even the developer has admitted that some of what has been shared with the public has been based on assumptions, and incomplete drawings and renderings: “We believe that the lack of details shared with the public effectively fails to provide the community with a clear understanding as to what has been agreed and at what cost to Bermuda and the local Southampton community. I am also uncertain whether or not Bermudians will be able to afford the residential units.”
Both MPs are calling on Government and the developers to engage residents of Southampton in an open forum.
“Our constituents in Southampton East Central and Southampton West Central will be most affected by the residential developments covered under the Fairmont Southampton SDO. It is certainly reasonable for them to want to clearly understand what is being planned and how it will change the view from their backyards and the living conditions in their immediate neighbourhoods,” Ms Smith concludes.
