Granting a special development order for the Fairmont Southampton was “the best decision for our island”, according to the home affairs minister.

Walter Roban, who lost the planning portfolio in a recent shuffle of ministerial responsibilities, went against both his own planning officers and the Development Applications Board when he approved the SDO.

“Like any minister, I had to contemplate what was best for Bermuda but also balance all of the interests that were a part of the issue.

“I believe that was my duty and that would’ve been the duty of any minister in my position. I did that to the best of my ability and I am confident to the highest degree that I made the best decision for our island,” said Mr Roban.

“I believe that we will have a wonderful development over time that will serve this country well, that has a good environmental identification to it, and also serves the country economically. I do believe that’s what was the goal, ultimately, to achieve.”

During a wide-ranging interview Mr Roban, a keen beekeeper, was asked if he thought land in Bermuda was being swallowed up for development too quickly and if his bees could go hungry.

“That’s a very good question. And one of the reasons why I became a beekeeper was to be more appreciative of the connection between the natural environment and those things in it.

“I learnt from beekeeping, perhaps, a greater sensitivity to this issue and it’s something that I'm concerned with because, yes, development can have that effect.

“But even more so, is our behaviour as human beings. I am perhaps more concerned about the behaviour that we have every day that actually brings risk to our environment.”

He said the Government was committed to decarbonisation and electrification of transport, cleaner uses of fuel and more sustainable methods of development.

“I do believe that we can balance these things and still balance our prosperity and growth and sustainability.”

He said core principles in the planning code were sustainable development, community development and environmental protection.

“If we balance those right, we will be OK and continue to preserve land for the future and not always bend to the profit motivation.”

One of the things that drew people to Bermuda, said Mr Roban, “is this natural quality of our country”.

“Yes, they love our white roofs and our pastel buildings but Bermuda’s natural environment and how we all relate to that is a big draw as to why we are such a coveted jurisdiction on the planet for a variety of activities and we should work to maintain that.

“So I will continue to do that because I love bees. But I also love people and I love all the other natural attributes that Bermuda has that makes it so wonderful.”