Splitting the former golfcourse into two halves: The owners of Riddell's Bay Golf and Country Club (Castile Holdings & investors) have made a new application to the Department of Planning. It is complicated wording, however they are basically attempting to divide the entire property (entire former golf course) in half (Lot A to the east and Lot A1 to the west) with Riddell's Bay Road being the dividing point. In addition, they have applied to combine the Residential lot on 1 Fairways Road with the Western lot (Lot A). In the letter dated March 21st, 2018 to Larry Williams, Acting Director of Planning, the applicant's architects, Botelho Wood Architects stated, “The existing zoning is largely Recreational with just 1 acre of Recreational 2 over both lots... The proposed boundary adjustment will result in the lot East of Riddell’s Bay Road (Lot A) being over 49 acres, and the lot West of Riddell’s Bay Road (Lot A1) being 42 acres…The proposed change would re-position the existing boundary of Lot 1 Fairway Road to encompass the area of larger lot A, West of Riddell’s Bay Road.” Our concerns are: The proposed combination of a small lot at 1 Fairway Road that is zoned Residential 2 with a new much larger lot (Lot A-1) that is primarily zoned Recreation and incorporates half of the former Riddell’s Bay Golf Course. We believe that this change would violate the Development and Planning Act 1974 (“the Act”) and sets a precedent that would jeopardize all golf courses and other areas that are currently protected under the Bermuda Plan (2008). 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 or Wellington Oval. 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, sports clubs, field... the last of Bermuda's open spaces. Specifically, if accepted, this change would divide the old golf course in half, with the new Lot A comprising the east half of the former golf course. In the letter dated March 21", 2018 to Larry Williams, Acting Director of Planning, the applicants architects, Botelho Wood Architects admitted, “The existing zoning is largely Recreational with just 1 acre of Recreational 2 over both lots...The proposed boundary adjustment will result in the lot East of Riddell’s Bay Road (Lot A) being over 49 acres, and the lot West of Riddell’s Bay Road (Lot A-I) being 42 acres...The proposed change would reposition the existing boundary of Lot 1 Fairway Road to encompass the area of larger lot A, West of Riddell’s Bay Road.” The Residential 2 property would come from the lot on Fairways Road and the rest of 91,557 acres would primarily be the former golf course. The only reason that we see that the applicant would apply for this change is to divide the former golf course and add residential zoning to a lot that previously did not include residential zoning. This meets their long- term goal of selling more residential lots which is in violation of the Development and Planning Act 1974 in an area that are currently protected under the Bermuda Plan (2008). While the applicant gave an example of a similar size lot using PHC field, along with TNT Tatum’s field, they did not state what they propose to be the Recreational use of the two lots (Lot A and Lot A1). They have used the example of a nine-hole golf course but in the presentation to residents, Castile Holdings owners and representatives clearly stated that they would not reopen the golf course and they wished to change the zoning of 20 acres of land zoned Recreation to Residential 2 and sell the residential lots which violates the Act and the Bermuda Plan 2008. In addition, please be advised that the former Half-way house has been demolished. (Photo) We ask that the 654+ people that have signed our Change.org petition, as well as many, many other supporters to please contact your Government M.P. and/or the Department of Planning to let them know your opinion on these proposed changes, before it is too late. Bermuda has very, very limited green, recreational land remaining and it would be a travesty to lose this land to a group seeking to make money by selling lots and building houses. If a legal ruling is made to abide by the legislation in place that protects recreational land, it is indeed possible that Riddell's Bay could become a golfcourse once again. We just need the support of our Government and government bodies to please take action and stop this proposed destruction of essential green, recreational land and protect it for all generations to come.