Plots of land in Warwick and Hamilton Parish have formally been named nature reserves, the House of Assembly heard on Friday.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said that 16.6 acres of former golf course at Riddell’s Bay and 3.4 acres of land on White Crest Hill had been redesignated as nature reserves as part of agreements with developers Castile Holdings.

The Riddell’s Bay reserve was created through a special development order for the property, in which the developer sought to create 18 low-density residential lots at the former golf course.

Meanwhile the White Crest Hill reserve came after approval of a subdivision to create 13 residential lots – far less than the 38 homes originally approved under a 2011 special development order.

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Mr Roban said: “The making of both of these protected conservation areas, especially in the case of Riddell’s Bay, represents significant public and environmental benefits and demonstrates what can be achieved through the planning process.

“To this end, I would like to recognise and applaud the efforts of the developer, Castile Holdings, who have invested over $1 million on landscaping work across the wider Riddell’s Bay Gardens and Nature Reserve, which has resulted in the planting of more than 2,000 trees and the removal of numerous invasive species.

“The making of these protected conservation areas is a key step in the ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment of Bermuda.

“These cases, together with the preceding subdivision approvals, highlight the proactive role of the Department of Planning to achieve positive outcomes through constructive collaboration with develop.”