Approval to develop a hotel cottage at the site of a former pump house at the edge of Harrington Sound has been deferred because of concerns about traffic.

The plan, submitted by RWTP Hotels, was recommended for approval by technical officers but members of the Development Applications Board are worried about sight lines for those attempting to enter or exit the property.

The minutes of the DAB meeting, held last week, said that the technical officer had informed the board that the Highways Section had vetted the proposal and found it acceptable.

“Several Board members echoed the traffic hazard concerns,” the minutes said. “As a result of the discussion, the technical officer advised the application could be considered as is or deferred, pending the receipt of additional information.

“After some discussion, it was determined the application should be deferred, pending the receipt of additional information.

“The additional information should include enhanced visuals and images of the sight lines, inclusive of all development and vegetation [either existing to be retained or proposed] within the sightline cones, relative to the position of oncoming traffic.

“If the lay-by can be repositioned to enhance sightlines, this should also be considered.”

RWTP Hotels submitted the planning application to build a hotel cottage at the site of a former pump house at the base of Shark Hole Hill in Hamilton Parish earlier this year.

The developer also sought approval for a conservation management plan to remove invasive species and support native plants in the surrounding coastline.

However, the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Audubon Society all filed objections to prevent development on the coastal site.

In addition to environmental concerns about the project, the BNT raised the possibility that the site may have historically been used for ship building and the area should be archaeologically assessed.

The groups also feared that the location of the site on a major public road would create a threat to motorists.

However, the planning officer downplayed the concerns in the DAB report, stating: “Since the cottage will be utilised as a hotel key, vehicular traffic will be limited, with the proposed lay-by demonstrating it can achieve minimum sight lines and permits for on-site turnaround, a necessity on the busy road.”