We would like to thank the nearly 1,800 people who have signed this Petition to "Preserve Recreational Land in Bermuda".
As an update, we were alerted that Castile Holdings Ltd. submitted the Planning application for the rezoning of the former Riddell's Bay Golf Course and it was officially gazetted on July 12. The Master Plan associated with the application proposes to change the zoning of 59.4 acres from Recreational Zoning, with 20.9 acres changed from Recreation (golf course) to Residential 2. The application includes the addition of 19 lots (22 lots in total) and 2 new right of ways.
On March 13th, Castile Holdings objected to the Draft Bermuda Plan 2018 and has submitted their Master Plan to change zoning of the former Golf course. Please see the attached Master Plan Zoning Map which shows the proposed changes. Specifically, the plan proposes to change the zoning of the Recreational Zoning areas highlighted in yellow to Residential 2 (areas highlighted in beige on the maps). "The Bermuda Plan 2018 comprises a policy document and zoning maps. It sets out the planning policies and land use zonings based on the future needs of the Island and how to best accommodate development in a sustainable and responsible manner over the next 10 to 15 years."
The residential 2 areas have been expanded from the original meeting with the residents two years ago, to include the former holes 1 (tee) 4, 5, 6 (green), 7 (tee), 8, 9 and 15 (green). The application focuses on the "increased conservation zoning over more than 38 acres of the site" but this simply means that the area will no longer be protected recreational property. This plan sets a dangerous precedent for the limited amount of property in Bermuda that is zoned Recreation, including athletic fields, sports clubs, playgrounds and other golf courses.
The link to the Castile Holdings objection to the Bermuda Plan 2018 with the attachments is below:
Objectors to the Application must include the reference number below (Reference S0020/19) and will have only until July 26 to lodge their objections to:
Acting Director of Planning, Department of Planning, Dame Lois Brown-Evans Building, 5th Floor, 38 Court Street, Hamilton HM 12
Email: lqwilliams@gov.bm ; cbulley@gov.bm; cwright@gov.bm; tndoran@gov.bm
Reference: S0020/19
.A hard copy should be delivered to the Planning Department if possible, in addition to emailing the various representatives.
Please note: If re-zoning is approved in Riddell's Bay for the initial Planning submission, a legal precedent has been set. This means that they could re-apply for further areas within the 90 acres to be re-zoned. Therefore we feel it should never be assumed that their initial submission will be the only changes to the former golf course property.... it may only be the beginning.