Opponents of plans to replace the Queen of the East with a residential block have expressed surprise at the Planning Minister’s decision to allow the development.

The old merchant house on Crow Lane dates back to the mid 1700s and neighbours the Blue Water Angler’s Club.

The club has consistently objected to developers’ plans to demolish the property and construct a six-storey apartment block on the land.

But Planning Minister, Michael Fahy’s, recent decision to overturn a ruling by the Development Applications Board and give developers, CTX Ltd, planning permission has upset bosses at the Blue Water Angler’s Club.

Roderick Nesbitt, President of the Blue Water Angler’s Club told The Royal Gazette he was ‘very surprised’ at the Minister’s decision to uphold the appeal.

He added: “We will be discussing the matter at our upcoming September meeting.

“We objected to the plans along with the National Trust when they were presented.

“And we are very surprised at the Minister’s decision.

“We will have our September meeting and then release a more detailed statement on behalf of the Club.”

The Queen of the East had been given a temporary reprieve when planners rejected developers’ proposals to level the old structure in February.

But CTX Ltd appealed the decision to Minister Fahy.

And he went along with the opinion of an independent planning inspector and gave the project the go-ahead.

The move to allow the appeal has prompted ‘dismay’ from the Bermuda National Trust. The Queen of the East was renovated in the 1940s and in its day was a large merchant house and a major feature of this 18th century port.

Over the decades the property has served as a bakery, a laundry and even a brothel.

Its name is a reference to scandalous activities which took place to the east of Hamilton. The decision by Mr Fahy to allow the development has also prompted anger from the Opposition. The Progressive Labour Party released a statement yesterday saying: “The One Bermuda Alliance as stated so eloquently by MP Glen Smith earlier this year, ‘does contradict itself sometimes and we make no apologies for that’.

“Back in 2007, then Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons said this about the historic Queen of East: ‘This is Heritage Month but we are seeing part of our history being decimated for development. It falls in line with all the other development projects by which our heritage is being compromised for economic gain. Are we prepared to sell Bermuda for the buck and compromise our history and culture? We are an attractive destination for tourists because of our historic buildings, which make Bermuda what it is. We have to preserve our history — Bermuda has a unique architectural heritage’.”

“Where does OBA whip Cole Simons stand now? Does he stand by his statements then, or is he ready to contradict himself, like his colleagues, and fall in line behind Minister Michael Fahy.

“Bermudians no longer trust the OBA, and with their growing record of broken promises, double talk, and cover-ups it is understandable why more Bermudians are losing faith in this government.”

The Royal Gazette contacted Mr Fahy and the OBA for comment on this story. But we did not receive a comment by the time we went to press.