Shadow Tourism Minister Zane DeSilva has accused Government of ‘dragging its feet’ over the plans to develop the old Club Med site.

The claims came after Government granted developers, Desarrollos, and extra 60 days to finalise plans to build a luxury brand hotel on the St George’s site.

Mr DeSilva described the move as a ‘joke’ saying Bermuda needed to be seen as acting more professionally.

And the PLP MP said he was ‘very concerned’ to hear a report on ZBM news last night stating that developers, Desarrollos, were involved in a legal action in the US relating to a $15m loan they received for another development.

Mr DeSilva told a press conference this afternoon: “We have to be seen to be more professional than this.

“If an agreement is reached, and it’s a big if, it will take months to create a plan.

“The Minister and the OBA need to stop dragging their feet. There are over 3,000 people out of work.

“We are very pleased with this development and we really hope it does take off.

“But we can not take this amount of time. It is unacceptable.

“The OBA needs to put their shoulder to the wheel or move on to the next developer.”

The initial exclusive negotiation period between Government and the Desarrollos Hotelco Group (DHG) expired on October 8, and has now been extended to December 13.

Yesterday Transport and Tourism Development Minister, Shawn Crockwell revealed that the developer had chosen Starwood as their luxury brand partner.

And he told The Royal Gazette that he remained confident that ground would be broken on the eagerly awaited project in the first half of 2015.

But Mr DeSilva claimed the bid process for the project was ‘wrong from the start’ and he questioned whether any of the five shortlisted developers were physically interviewed by Government.

He said: “The hurried response to media inquiries by Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwelll on the St George’s project raises more questions about the state of the project.

“The PLP is encouraged by the news that there appears to be some development on this and we are hopeful it will mean jobs for Bermudians as well as support the rejuvenation of tourism.

“Yet it is very critical to get this right. It must be revealed if there is a letter of intent to sign or at leats a legal document signed committing both parties to this development with clear time lines.

“It also needs to be revealed what financing is in place. We also need to know whether the developers still want a casino.