Extra time has been given for feedback on a proposal to convert a portion of the Southlands national park into an events lawn for the neighbouring Bermudiana resort.

The plans by the Department of Parks, which have been condemned by environmental groups, had a deadline for consultation at 5pm this Thursday, but that was extended to the same time on May 17.

The resort, on the former Grand Atlantic affordable housing site, is expected to open this July, with Hilton Hotels test-running it for two months before it welcomes visitors.

The change of use would affect 10,750 sq ft of the southeastern corner of Southlands Park on South Road in Warwick.

The Bermuda Audubon Society has called for coastal woodland to be preserved, with alternative locations for the events lawn.

The parks department also added a conservation management plan to the webpage.

That plan described the land as “unmanaged woodland with noted pockets of recent native and endemic planting and flanked on the coastal boundary by a combination of native and endemic coastal species, and invasive species”.

It was designed to “create a homogenous planting scheme that will preserve the integrity of and enhance the surrounding woodland reserve while integrating a functional event space”.

A notice has been gazetted in accordance with the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986.

The proposal and all related documents, including the comments form, are posted on the Department of Parks's webpage.

Comment forms should be submitted to parkplaninfo@gov.bm.

A copy of the proposal can be found in the Department of Parks's lobby at 43 Church Street, on the ground floor of the Global House building.

Comment forms are also available there to be submitted through the department's drop box.