The Ministry of Environment yesterday hit back at claims by environmentalist David Wingate’s regarding an SDO for Tucker’s Point, saying some of his statements were “unjustified and alarmist”.Earlier this week Dr Wingate, a former conservation officer, said the proposed Special Development Order (SDO) at Rosewood Tucker’s Point would represent a loss of space to virgin land, equivalent to Yellowstone National Park, in the US.But Government issued a statement yesterday refuting some of Dr Wingate’s claims.“In his statement to media Dr Wingate said that the proposed development would mean “total deforestation” on the densely wooded Paynter’s Hill and Quarry Hill areas. This claim is unjustified and alarmist.“In fact, as the Ministry has already stated, a landscape principle of 40 percent endemics, 30 percent natives, 20 percent non-invasive ornamentals and ten percent of any combination of these will be applied to each proposed lot to be developed.“Furthermore, the majority of areas subject to this Order will require a Conservation Management Plan prepared on an area wide basis.”Dr Wingate also raised concerns over possible disturbances to the cave systems, which are believed to support 60 species of native and endemic marine invertebrates. But the Ministry said that the SDO had “gone to great lengths to avoid any disturbance to the cave systems in this area”.“For example, as a condition of the SDO, any existing or newly discovered cave features on the proposed development sites will require a subterranean topographical survey be completed by a qualified cave survey specialist to geo-reference the cave voids for terrestrial development potential considerations. All mapped caves, cave features and new caves will require a minimum setback buffer of 30 feet for all structures and excavation,” added the statement.“Furthermore, all development must be designed with shallow tanks of minimum below existing grade depths of no greater than three-foot depth finished level and four-foot maximum excavation grade.”Government said no excavation would exceed four feet due to potential contact and impact with known or unknown cave systems. It said any necessary sewage trenching deeper than four feet “must rely on test bore holes to demonstrate that such trenching works will not compromise an undiscovered cave”.Additionally, utility cables, including cable television relay cables, will be placed underground no deeper than three feet. The Order will only permit Tucker’s Point Club to apply to develop land that the current zoning would not automatically permit approval is not automatic and is subject to “objective assessment”.“All final plans for development will be subject to normal public notification, public review, comment and appropriate objection,” according to the statement.The Ministry said it had gone through “great efforts” to attach stringent conditions to the SDO that would ensure a balance between the protection of the Island’s environment and the enhancement of social and economic conditions.