Architects say foundations for a more efficient Planning Department lie in an overhaul of the Bermuda Development Plan and City of Hamilton Plan.

They say beleaguered planners are having to work from guidelines and recommendations so out-of-date, they lack accurate data from which to make decisions.

The Bermuda Development Plan was issued in 1992 and the City of Hamilton Plan in 2001. Government has announced it is to update the Bermuda Plan, but many architects, engineers and surveyors say Ministers must also look at boosting Planning staff numbers and bringing in more specialists.

Many have welcomed the Ambling International Consulting survey, saying the Planning Department has struggled for years while at the same time facing an unprecedented building boom.

Yesterday, architect Ian Gordon of Architect and Resorts Planning, said: "I'm happy a survey is being done as it points to internal recognition that there are problems which need to be addressed and changes that need to be made. It's a shame it didn't happen a few years ago but better now than not at all."

He said: "I think the panel is a good idea and could provide some constructive recommendations, but basically we have a Planning statement for Bermuda which is ten years out-of-date and a City of Hamilton Plan which is limited in its vision, and slightly flawed in its parameters based on the current climate. So far there's no replacement for either in sight. That makes it difficult for planners in the first place, in that their reference documents are out-of-date.

"With the City of Hamilton Plan, you just have to look at the number of projects in the last 12 months which have been given an exemption from the previous height recommendation. It's indicative of a need for a new Plan which takes into account other factors which the present City of Hamilton Plan is limited on — that's not just height but mixed-use, such as retail and accommodation. Mixed-use development is probably a good thing in cities around the world as it brings in life and vitality to a city centre.

"In terms of the Bermuda Development Plan, this anticipated a need for 1,600 new residential units over ten years, but if you look at the statistics, this has been far exceeded. More importantly, there's been no analysed result at this time of what is anticipated in housing need for the next ten years on the Island. Do we need to be more restrictive of residential development, or should we be more accommodating, such as exceeding height recommendations?

"Without having hard data, planners don't have a basis to evaluate decisions on."

Mr. Gordon said: "The survey is more related to staffing issues, but in my mind the bigger issues are the guidelines the planners have to work from.

"They are short-staffed and I think they would acknowledge they are also relatively short on experience in dealing with the more complex issues. The structure of the department probably hasn't changed much in 25 years.

"If you look at the volume and complexity of Planning applications and building control issues they have to deal with now, they need larger staff and greater depth of technical expertise."

He added: "Given their lack of resources, I think the planners have done a commendable job in the circumstances. They needed more resources seven or eight years ago and have gone through one of the bigger building booms in recent times.

"There is no question they are overwhelmed, but you have to have the right tools — such as access to accurate current data, to make an analysis of the Island's requirements.

"We have outdated development plans but those are the legislative benchmarks we have to work with."

Germano Botelho of Botelho Wood Architects described the survey as "shallow" and said he wanted to see Planning sit down with the Institute of Bermuda Architects (IBA) to thrash out the problems. Mr. Botelho said: "The survey seems to be very shallow, in that it doesn't go into detail at all. I think the best question is probably about forming a panel.

"To resolve the Planning issues, I think it's down to a simple round-table meeting between the department and local registered architects. That could easily be done by contacting the IBA."

Mr. Botelho said his company had written previously to Planning to offer advice. "We have written with recommendations to expedite the Planning process, but had no response," he said.

"Non-communication is one of the biggest problems with the department."

He said some problems could be relieved by a new Architects Act — the last Act is dated 1969, which would recommend only licensed professionals to submit Planning applications. "It will give Planning a tool to better control the process," he said.