A proposal to convert the former headquarters of the Bermuda Land Development Company into staff housing has been given the green light after an appeal.

The Development Applications Board had turned down the plan last year, but Crystal Caesar, the Minister of the Cabinet Office, countered in a December decision letter that the project would help housing challenges on the island.

“While I recognise that the conversion of this building to residential staff accommodation may not align with the key objectives for this location, as identified in the draft St David’s Community Plan or the mixed-use zone policies of the Bermuda Plan 2018, I nevertheless understand that this proposal will address an urgent need to provide affordable housing,” she said.

“For this reason, I support the conversion of the building to residential use for a temporary period of no more than seven years.”

A planning application submitted by the BLDC last year proposed a change of use for Triton House, the quango’s former main offices on Longfield Road, St David’s.

The proposed design would have turned the building’s ten offices into eight single bedrooms, each of which could house up to two people, along with two shared dining rooms.

However, the DAB turned down the application because the proposed change of use from commercial to residential did not comply with planning policies that require commercial uses on the ground floor “unless there is no reasonable form of commercial development that can be provided”.

A subsequent appeal letter noted that the building was originally used for housing, and urged Ms Caesar overturn the DAB’s decision.

“The building is vacant and the applicant would like to use the building as a staff housing facility,” the appeal letter stated. “There is a significant need for staff housing in this area; hence, the application to change the use back to residential.”