The developer behind the Azura resort has defended its work on the South Shore after complaints about the state of the site.

Resident Wendell Hollis took to social media to decry the work on the cliff face as a “tragic and wanton desecration” of the area and questioned how it was allowed by the Department of Planning.

However, a spokeswoman for the developers said the cliff face was “literally falling into the sea” and significant repair works were necessary.

“The development team is genuinely proud of its vision for the newly restored cliff face and the new ocean-fed pool for what is one of the most successful new hospitality products for Bermuda,” she added.

Mr Hollis posted to Facebook last week a series of images of the recently cleared cliff face and the under-construction pool being built at the cliff’s base.

He wrote: “Why can’t they just swim in the beautiful ocean? Why do they have to destroy the natural coastal ambience of this end of the beach?

“They have significantly excavated the cliff face leaving a big white scar. In doing so, they have wantonly destroyed all the natural and historic nesting sites of the longtail who have returned to Bermuda for millennia after millennia to lay their single egg and raise their young.

“How was this allowed to happen? Was the Department of Planning asleep at the switch or did they turn a blind eye to this wanton destruction of Bermuda’s natural beauty and habitat?”

He added that the pool would likely be destroyed by storms owing to its location.

A spokeswoman for Azura, however, said the project was the result of dedicated professionals working to protect the cliff face at a resort property while creating a new amenity for visitors.

“Planning did not fail anyone, and there should be no calls for any ministers to resign,” she said. “The Nautilus Ocean Pool is only a positive development that Planning and the Government chose to support.

“And while there’s always going to be naysayers out there, we feel that when the wider public sees the results – as pictured in the Nautilus Ocean Pool rendering and the completed conditions at Azura – they may more appropriately form their own opinions based on the full and accurate information provided.”

The spokeswoman added the island was in need of high-quality hotels to rebuild Bermuda’s tourism economy and bolster airlift.

“Our firm belief is that our protected, safe and polished beach areas will only help attract happy and repeat hotel guests in coming years, and the development teams are genuinely proud of them,” she said.

“The spectacular Azura beach terraces and the adjacent Nautilus Ocean Pool create unique tourist experiences in Bermuda, allowing locals and visitors alike to experience and participate in this section of spectacular, but raw coastline.

“One that had been unattractive, dangerous and often entirely inaccessible prior to these improvements. As we said, lemons into lemonade.”

The spokeswoman said that more than $2 million had been spent on foreshore protection measures while reducing the visual impact from the ocean.

“We believe that any sensible person would agree the current boutique property is both impressive and a huge improvement when compared to the broken-down cottage colony – and the dated house/property next door – that were inherited and brought back to life,” she added.