Ground penetrating radar, rather than the “invasive” method of drilling into rock, could be used under revised plans to develop Tucker’s Point.

The 2011 Special Development Order for the property was amended by the Senate to permit other measures for exploring the geology of the site.

The original SDO had allowed for five exploratory boreholes to be drilled at each of the property’s residential lots to check for caves or voids, Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy told senators.

Tucker’s Point, which spans St George’s and Hamilton parishes, lies in an area known for caves — an issue raised by environmentalists when major developments were initially put forward.

Alternative methods, which also include electrical resistivity imaging, would be subject to the approval of the Department of Planning.