Vexed Bermoothes

Government proposes to block all “non-essential development” in the name of sustainable development.

Under the PLP, the Government has allowed our planning policies to become woefully inadequate, and has subverted even those archaic restrictions through political interference and the repeated use special development orders (SDOs).

So instead of having a clear and equitable standard for all, they want the ability to choose who may build. Hmm, you can predict how that one will work out.

The idea is that the clampdown will give Government time to come up with a new planning code. Let’s just point out that the planning issues have been known for years. In fact, this very idea was first trial ballooned by Government more than two years ago: why haven’t they been working on the new planning code in that time?

I deeply support the protection of Bermuda’s environment as well as the creation of a new planning code which restricts bypasses such as SDOs. I acknowledge the difficult choices must now be made.

But this episode highlights the managerial laxity of the PLP, and the painful consequences that the community will have to pay for their profligacy. Did you vote for this?

It is very hard to get a cat, whom you have lavishly supplied with ego and amphetamines, back in the bag.