Construction work on a maintenance yard at Botanical Gardens should be halted and reconsidered, according to a concerned member of the public.

Claire Smith said if the project reaches completion, it will be akin to an industrial site in the heart of the gardens, marring the experience for visitors.

“I think it’s not well thought out, and I think if the general public knew what was going on, and what Government are putting in, there would be an uproar,” she said. “I think the public should go down there and take a look. If this building goes up, I don’t think they are going to be happy.”

The goal of the construction project is to replace a maintenance yard flattened in 2003 by Hurricane Fabian.

The new facility, which is currently under construction, will function as a centrally located mustering station for Parks staff, with around 100 employees signing in and out of the site.

The area will also store numerous trucks, tractors, trailers and other equipment.

Ms Smith argued that Marsh Folly would be a more appropriate site, given that many of the vehicles already have to visit Marsh Folly to deliver materials.

And while the original maintenance yard on the site had “moderately sized” sheds, she argued the proposed buildings would be visible throughout the park.

“The sheds that they are putting in are far from innocuous,” she said. “We are going to be able to see this building from almost every single point in the garden.

“Nothing of this scale and negative visual impact existed in the Botanical Gardens to date. Building an industrial site within this park setting is completely counter to the purpose of the Gardens, which were zoned ‘park’ not industrial. The existence of a large industrial site within the gardens will have a negative impact on the beauty and tranquility of the Gardens, affecting locals and tourists alike.”

Ms Smith said the use of the site as a mustering station will significantly increase noise and traffic in the area, detracting from the tranquility of the gardens.

“This development will be a depot for the whole of the parks to facilitate management of all external parks. It doesn’t have to be located in the Botanical Gardens. There are other more suitable sites.”

“We have precious little open space and park land in Bermuda and we cannot afford this facility. Industrial activity such as this should be located in areas previously zoned for such uses.

“If work was halted, the site could be restored with Marsh Folly compost and green space expanded enabling the gardens to be joined in the middle. This key piece of property would finally unite both sides of the gardens into one.”

A Government spokeswoman said the site has been used as a maintenance yard since the 1960s with a minimal impact, and no other suitable site has been found. “There have been numerous efforts made to identify an alternative site to the existing one, and all have proven to be fruitless,” she said. “Noise is minimal because they leave for their sites by 7.45am each day, and return at 3.45pm. There is very little activity in the maintenance yard during the day because the crews are on their job sites Island wide.

“They have their own service access road into the maintenance yard from South Road, and have not proven to be a hindrance to the public.”

She also assured the public that the yard will be screened off with vegetation to reduce the visibility of the buildings.

“The only visible sign of any buildings will be the new Public restrooms which will be built on the second storey on one of the maintenance buildings,” she said. “They replace those that had to removed due to damage to the building.

“The drawings have been completed, planning approval has been given, excavation has been completed and the erection of the retaining walls has begun. All that is left is the completion of the buildings. We need a facility that will permit us to complete our duties as efficiently and effectively as possible.”