The Bermuda National Trust is "shocked" a new road was built in Duck's Puddle without approval from the Planning Department and is pleased the Development Applications Board refused the retroactive application from Government.

Speaking for the Trust, Executive Director, Jennifer Gray said: "The Bermuda National Trust objected to this retroactive application and is gratified that the Development Applications Board decided to refuse it on November 18, 2008.

"We recognise and appreciate the efforts of all individuals, groups and departments who follow process and law in the best interest of our country."

The Development Applications Board (DAB) expressed its "disappointment" with the Ministry of Works and Engineering as it refused a retroactive application for a road alignment and landfill at Grotto Bay, part of a project to expand Bailey's Bay Cricket Club which imposes on both the national parkland and coastal reserve.

The Planning controversy centres on an application for foreshore repairs along the eastern side of the cricket club field and the realignment of Coney Island Road.

Vegetation has been cleared to create space for the 18 foot asphalt road while landfill has filled in some of the coastline habitat.

Ms Gray explained the new road was built and effectively "dissected" Wilkinson Memorial National Park, a designated Class B protected area.

She said: "The Bermuda National Trust believes that our National Parks are of extreme importance both culturally and environmentally and are shocked that this development went ahead without following the appropriate procedures or allowing the public the opportunity for comment.

"We feel that the only development permissible in a National Park should be essential to their maintenance and be designed in such a way so as to not harm any natural features or damage the visual or historical quality of the area.

"All development proposed for National Parks must first be approved by the National Parks Commission who, we understand, objected to this development."

She said the Trust also objected to the rubble and landfill that has been put along the coastline of the road and cricket pitch into the water.

Ms Gray added the Trust agrees with the DAB and said: "We are disappointed with the applicant's blatant disregard for the planning process and ask that the applicant be made to remediate the site and repair the environmental damage where this is possible.

"Unfortunately a portion of the damage done cannot be rectified and a piece of our history and natural environment lost with the landscape changed forever."