Environmentalist Stuart Hayward has proposed that Southlands be given to a charity to protect it from future development.The pristine 37-acre estate in Warwick became public property on Monday, after Government signed a deal exchanging it with three Bermudian developers for 80 acres of brownfield land at Morgan’s Point.The swap, which took five years to complete, was first proposed by former Premier and Warwick South East MP Alex Scott after the developers’ original plans to build a five-star luxury resort on Southlands sparked a public outcry.Estates Minister Michael Scott has said opening up the estate to the public as a national park, as promised, will now be a “very interesting, urgent priority”.Mr Hayward, of Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), described the land swap as a “tremendous step” and the “largest if not the first in years of addition to the stock of Bermuda’s parklands”.He told The Royal Gazette: “We at BEST take pride in the role we played in making the public aware of what we stood to lose had the site been developed as a hotel and tourist residences and in rallying public support for former Premier Scott’s proposal for a land swap.“[But] the threat of development will persist as long as there is money to be made. Perhaps the most secure protection would be transference of ownership to an organisation like the Bermuda National Trust (BNT) or the Audubon Society, whose missions and by-laws would likely prohibit development in perpetuity.“If that is not to happen, then it will take vigilance on the part of the public and organisations like BEST to alert and mobilise the public if the park is threatened.”Mr Hayward said BEST trusted Government would be true to its word and fulfill its promise to “make all within the Southlands boundary into a public park”.He added: “An act of Parliament adding Southlands to Bermuda’s parks would be the ultimate demonstration [of commitment to its promise].”He said Warwick was one of the most densely developed parishes and Southlands was one of the largest remaining “relatively undeveloped parcels of land”, so the addition of a large public park would have social, economic and environmental benefits.Regarding Mr Hayward’s proposal that Southlands be given to the Bermuda National Trust or the Bermuda Audubon Society, BNT executive director Jennifer Gray said: “We at the Trust, welcome the recognition of our long and successful stewardship of open spaces in Bermuda; it is core to our mission.“More to the point today is our delight that Minister Scott has announced that the opening of Southlands to the public as a national park will be an urgent priority and we hope the community will champion the care of this spectacular piece of Bermuda’s landscape no matter where the responsibility for management lies.”In an e-mail she said the Trust was “overjoyed by the news that Southlands is now public land and Minster Scott’s confirmation that it will be turned into a public park for the enjoyment of all”.Ms Gray added: “The opportunity for education and enjoyment at Southlands is huge and we are excited to soon see the community taking pleasure in this beautiful, historic and significant property.“Southlands was once a renowned tropical paradise, which it certainly has the potential to easily be once again. It is scattered with quarry gardens, interlinked by beautiful paths and tunnels, that contain pools and which sustain an astonishing variety of rare and exotic flowers, shrubs and trees.“The site also manages to maintain a rural feel with its beautiful wide lawns, woodlands and rich farmland. The main house itself dates in part from the late 1700s. The coastline is breathtaking and I am sure we all look forward to having another beautiful unspoilt beach to enjoy.“On top of all of this, given the undeveloped nature of the property and its size, and the varied habitats it contains, the site sustains an enormous amount of Bermuda wildlife and biodiversity. This is a Bermuda treasure and to have it available to the people of Bermuda will serve to enhance our overall health and social well-being.”Greenrock president Judith Landsberg said the environmental group would welcome the Southlands property being designated a national park.“Southlands is one of the few unspoilt areas of Warwick and its preservation is a gain for everyone,” said Dr Landsberg.“Obviously there are decisions to be made about how such a designation will be managed. However, we view preserving this valuable network of largely natural and undeveloped spaces in Warwick as an integral element within Bermuda’s larger, long term ecological balance.”Mr Scott said he felt “very gratified” that the exchange finally happened, as Southlands was the “lung of Warwick, the breathing space of the place”.Useful websites: www.best.org.bm, www.bnt.bm and www.greenrock.org.