Plans to create an events venue near Clearwater Beach were approved by the Development Applications Board this week on the basis that mitigation efforts to protect the environment are included.

A planning application, submitted earlier this year, proposed the installation of a pavilion tent and containers at the beach’s parking lot, located south of the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club, for the purpose of hosting events.

While concerns were raised about potential environmental impacts given the site’s proximity to the Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, a technical officer said in a report for the DAB that measures could be taken to reduce those impacts.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources had expressed reservations about the proposal out of concerns that the waste produced could have a “knock-on effect” on the “critical habitats” of Cooper’s Island and Castle Harbour.

The technical officer said the department’s terrestrial conservation section had warned the main species potentially affected would be the land hermit crab, which is protected and found in only a few locations around the island.

However, concerns were also raised about birds, including cahows.

The TCS said trash containment and removal would be an important mitigation measure, as it would prevent rats from being attracted to the area and nearby habitats.

The report noted that crucial offshore nesting sites for the cahows are only about 200m off Cooper’s Island, and rats have been known to swim to the islands, threatening the critically endangered birds.

“The threat of them swimming to Nonsuch from Cooper’s Island is so great that the Nature Conservancy organisation has worked with DENR to install solar-powered infrared motion-sensor cameras on both Nonsuch Island and Cooper’s Island to detect rats and, on Cooper’s, to determine when rat populations are increasing to the point when colonisation of the nesting islands is more likely due to rats swimming over from Cooper’s,” the technical officer said.

The technical officer recommended conditions including that the trash management plan be strictly adhered to and, if the operator encounters a protected species in the venue, they would be required to contact the DENR.

In the report, the technical officer said that the repurposing of the parking lot into a temporary events space was acceptable and would not have an impact on St David’s residents.

“The proposal makes use of an existing developed area, the duration of events are temporary in nature, and its location is sited a minimum 2,600 feet from the closest residential structure, with a fully operational airport and motocross facility in between, ensuring there would be no detrimental impacts on residential amenity,” the technical officer said.

The report also noted that the proposal would take up around one quarter of the parking area, leaving 75 per cent as parking.

“From a design and visual perspective, the proposed screening of the fence along the northern and eastern fence to be installed will block the view of the event space, including the storage containers, which will enhance the appearance of the area from what currently exists ― uninterrupted views into the motocross venue, airport and chain link fences,” the technical officer added.

“Further, the addition of screening on the existing chain link fence along the southern perimeter will assist in preventing the migration of trash into the adjoining Nature Reserve.

“This is deemed a positive, with the screening of the chain link fence in conformity with policies.”

While the technical officer said shipping containers would not adhere to “the Bermuda image”, but in the context of the area there would not be a negative visual impact.

The placement of the containers was not believed to have a negative impact on animals or any natural features of significance, and there was “ample distance” between the “actual” nature reserve and development.

“Finally, it is germane to note that all the proposed structures and use of the lease area are temporary, and when the facility ceases to exist, it will revert to what exists today,” the report writer added.

The application went before the DAB on Wednesday and was approved.