Petition updatePreserve Bermuda Recreational Land PetitionReaction that speaks for hundreds of people: Environmental Impact Assessment" on re-zoning proposal
Riddell's Bay Members Committee
Jun 23, 2017 — Reaction: from former long time member to firm hired to do "Environmental Impact Assessment" on re-zoning and building on former Riddell's Bay Golf Course"- These words speak for hundreds of people that share the same sentiments. Riddell's Bay must be protected: The Proposed change in zoning from Recreation to Residential 2 would violate the Development and Planning Act 1974 (“the Act”) and set a precedent that would jeopardize all golf courses and other area that are currently protected under the Bermuda Plan (2008). Dear Ms. Glasspool, I probably don’t qualify as a ‘neighbour’, but I am an owner of a share at the Reefs Club, have been a member of Riddell’s for over 15 years, and a visitor to Bermuda since 1967. Riddell’s is very close to my heart and its elimination would be a great blow. I will not be on the Island on the given date, so this is my best way to express my concerns. I have written to the Royal Gazette’s OpEd page, written to the Premier, the Honorable Mr. Dunkley and many members of the government. I hope you will carry my concerns forward, as well. Even if I thought that golf was not important, I simply do not believe that the developers intend to remain quiet after a few minor clearances. Please, they did not invest to make Bermuda a beautiful green space! Also, even if 75% were left as a ‘sanctuary’, it’s funding would soon be exhausted, and who will make good use of the area? It will simply go away. A 25% loss of land will kill the course forever. If all I had to my name were a few precious possessions, I would have to be very desperate to dump them for a short gain. My children and theirs would be the losers. A place like Riddell’s cannot be reinstated for any amount of money – ever. This is so sad. I hope you and others who care will consider closely the long-term implications here vis-à-vis tourism and the irreversible direction this creates. Thank you for your time and consideration Stephen Comeau NB: from Riddells Bay Members Committee: Bermuda has limited green space and a portion of the Bermuda Plan (2008) is zoned Recreation which includes sports fields, school playing fields, playgrounds, golf courses and general recreation areas, such as Bernard Park. These areas have historically been protected from zoning changes in order to maintain land for recreational purposes. If an exception is made to allow real estate development in areas that are currently zoned Recreation it could lead to the possible closure and redevelopment of other Bermuda golf courses and protected recreational areas.  In Chapter 18: Recreation (REC) of the Act: The purpose of the Recreation zone is to conserve land for a variety of recreational activities. The areas designated under the Plan as Recreation include public and private playing fields, sports facilities and golf courses, and they are important components of the overall network of linked open spaces across the Island. Once the "re-zoning" is allowed, there is no stopping these new owners from continuing the demise of the land for profit. 25% of the property is significant. However 100% of the recreational golf course area will be forever gone, if this proposal is approved.
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