A graveyard that is the final resting place for slaves and free blacks who owned and worked land at Tucker’s Town more than 200 years ago could soon be designated an historical monument.The cemetery site on the Tucker’s Point golf course is already marked as a Historic Preservation Area under the Bermuda Plan 2008 and in addition, the cemetery is designated as a site of archaeological significance.But after tombstones at the historic site were removed to make way for plans submitted by Marsden First United Methodist Church to erect a new cemetery monument, campaigners urged that the site be given special protection from development.Government has now confirmed that plans are in the pipeline to upgrade the status of the graveyard following consultation with the property’s owners and other interested groups such as the Historic Buildings advisory Committee and the Tucker’s Town Historical Society.The Ombudsman has now recommended that the graveyard should be listed as a historic building.“The Minister of the Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy will consult with the property owner as required by the Act, the Historic Building Advisory Committee, the Department of Planning and other relevant interests,” the Government spokesman said.“On completion of the review the Minister would have the information to assist in making a decision on the recommendation to add Tucker’s Town Cemetery to the list.“Thus far, technical officers have discussed the recommendation with the HBAC and in principle HBAC is supportive of the listing.“In the meantime, the further information regarding the historical significance of the site is being gathered to apprise the HBAC fully prior to its final support being given.“Following the discussions with the owners and occupiers, the Department would engage in a formal consultation process.“The Department of Planning anticipates that the process to enable the Minister to consider the listing of the site as a historical monument pursuant to Section 30 of the Development and Planning Act 1974 would be concluded by 30 June 2013.”