The Ministry of Home Affairs is pleased to advise that the public consultation deadline for making submissions on the Fairmont Southampton Special Development Order (SDO) is extended to Friday, 26 May 2023.
At this time, the Ministry wishes to remind the public how to comment on planning applications to ensure all residents who want to provide constructive feedback can do so in a way that reaches the appropriate authorities and contributes to the final decision.
To that end, the complete process is available online through the Department of Planning at Commenting on Planning Applications.
Of particular importance is the section on how to submit comments, which advises that any objection or representation must adhere to all criteria of Section 18 of the Development and Planning (Application Procedure) Rules 1997 by satisfying all of the points set out below:
Ø Identify the application to which the comments relate and the application reference number (i.e. P0001-19)
Ø Contain the name of the person making the objection or representation, an email address and an address in Bermuda at which notices may be served upon them
Ø Where the objection or representation is signed by more than one person, specify one address in Bermuda at which notice may be served upon those making the objection
Ø State whether the person making the comments has an interest in land in the vicinity of the land to which the application relates and, if so, the nature of that interest and the location of that land
Ø Specify the grounds upon which the objection or representation is made (which must include at least one material planning consideration relevant to that particular application)
Ø Be signed by the person or persons making the comments (digital signatures are acceptable)
However, it is essential to note that only those individuals who have created a Customer Self Service (CSS) portal account can submit comments.
Creating an account is easy with a handy video here on YouTube explaining how to register a CSS account. If customers prefer to read the instructions, a PDF document (attached) is available online here.
Furthermore, also online is the complete process by which SDO applications are considered as set out in the Development and Planning Act 1974 and the Department of Planning’s Procedures for Making Special Development Orders.
It is vital to understand that all who wish to express their views and have them contribute to the final decision on any submission must follow the proper procedure to be considered. For further information or questions about the Customer Self-Service portal, email csshelp@gov.bm.