A plan to place a swimming pool just feet from the edge of an unstable cliff has caused a delay in a decision connected to the redevelopment of the Grand Atlantic site.

In a recent planning application, that also included moves to stabilise the cliff face, the pool was situated six feet from a steep drop to Southlands Beach.

This proximity was enough for the Development Applications Board to defer a decision on the application, made by developers MacLellan and Associates, who also want to install a stairway and funicular down to the beach as they turn the Grand Atlantic housing into the Bermudiana Beach Resort.

According to the minutes of the Board’s October 8 meeting, concerns were expressed over the distance between the pool and the cliff edge.

“The Board was of the opinion that a six-foot distance to the edge of the cliff was too close. Further, the Board raised concern over the long term effects of placing a pool in the proposed location,” the minutes state.

“Specifically, the Board queried the likelihood of the continued erosion of the cliff face and the future need for further revetment works to retain the pool.

“The Board resolved to defer the application to allow the agent to consider either to remove the pool component from the application or revise the location to allow for a greater setback to the edge of the cliff for the purposes of public safety.”

The Grand Atlantic complex was initially announced as a hybrid hotel and affordable housing development, but only two out of the 78 housing units constructed were sold and the hotel aspect has not come into fruition.

The project’s proximity to the nearby cliff face also drew repeated criticism from the public, and the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, who expressed concern that erosion could put the buildings in jeopardy. However, developers responded that geotechnical studies on the cliff face had been carried out before work began, showing the buildings were all safely sited.

In April Government confirmed that it had signed a contract to “upgrade and reposition” the Warwick complex with MacLellan and Associates.