The Watford Sports Club has been granted planning permission to install two pairs of cabanas “recycled” from the 9 Beaches resort.

The application was approved by the Development Applications Board late last month and also includes repairs and increased protection for the coastline north of Mangrove Bay Road.

“We are very happy. Now we can get working on the building permit,” said a club spokeswoman.

First submitted late last year, the application included proposals for improved foreshore protection, coastal rehabilitation landscaping and beach club

facilities.

Both the beach club and a tourist accommodation included in the plan are to be built using repurposed cabanas from the 9 Beaches resort.

However the structures will be reconstructed to better reflect traditional Bermuda buildings, according to the application. While the original framework of the buildings are being reused, new Bermuda roofs and solid plaster and painted exteriors, along with welcoming arms access stairs and top-hung shutters are being added.

A design statement included in the application states: “Membership would like to protect the foreshore from erosion and enhance the beach facilities, which is the specific purpose of this application.

“The existing foreshore is being eroded away with areas of rockfalls and debris littering the beach and the rocks below. It is in need of foreshore protection that will retain and enhance its natural appearance.

“There is an imminent need to armour the foreshore in order to protect the property and the infrastructure, including Mangrove Bay Road itself.”

The proposal received an objection from the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), which expressed concern the plan was “overly ambitious” given the limited space on the site.

However, the planning assessment found the proposal to be “modest in nature” with no anticipated negative impact.

“The proposed remediation works are necessary to avoid further erosion of the property,” the planning inspector wrote. “The application is reasonable and is recommended for approval.”

The club spokeswoman said it was eager to move forward with the project.

“The whole area was recovered years ago, and there are some real issues with the foreshore area with boulders and rocks falling loose,” she said. The project includes the planting of endemic species and the placement of longtail nests.

“When we purchased the land in 2008 we had four burrows on the site,” she said. “Two are still there, but one has collapsed and the other seems to have been abandoned. We feel that by putting in more along the side facing Watford Bridge we should be able to get some longtails as they are in the area.”