Roban criticised for overturning DAB planning decision
Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, has come under fire after granting planning permission for a controversial development in Flatts against the advice of experts.
Mr Roban, who is also the Deputy Premier, gave approval for a food truck to be installed at Lazy Corner — even though the project had been refused by the Development Applications Board, and later condemned by a planning inspector.
Mr Roban granted approval just four days before responsibility for planning decisions was shifted from his Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of the Cabinet Office.
Scott Pearman, the One Bermuda Alliance spokesman for home affairs, pointed out that Mr Roban had a history of overruling the advice of planning officers — and was forced to resign after one controversial decision.
In 2011 Mr Roban stood down from the Cabinet after granting approval for planning applications submitted by Progressive Labour Party colleagues Zane DeSilva and Wayne Furbert that had previously been rejected by the DAB.
He made the decision on his final day as environment minister, and in a later resignation statement admitted that his actions had “brought about questions of the Government's integrity”.
Mr Pearman said: “Why is Deputy Premier Roban on an offensive to override planning decisions again and again? How many times now has he decided to ignore the experts?
“Remember, back in November 2011 Minister Walter Roban had to resign from Paula Cox’s Cabinet.
“The minister decided to overrule a technical officer’s decision blocking PLP MP Zane DeSilva from building on environmentally protected land at Devonshire Marsh. Minister Roban then intervened to allow his PLP colleague to build warehouses on the marshland.
“Fast forward to April 2023. The public then witnessed minister Roban overturning another planning decision, again in favour of MP Zane DeSilva on land near Devonshire Marsh.
“And now the minister overrules expert advice regarding Flatts village.
“Perhaps minister Roban should just change jobs and go run the planning department instead?”
The decision was also criticised by one environmental group, which questioned Mr Roban’s claim when defending the decision that “it is impossible to allow commercial activity with a ‘do no harm’ approach”.
Kim Smith, the executive director of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, said: "I believe that wherever there is mankind, it will not be possible to 'do no harm' to the environment because mankind wants to do whatever it wants to do.
“There needs to be 'reasonableness' in the governing of the matters of our collective existence through fair and practical rules and policies, and perhaps a renewed commitment to a collective vision for our island, particularly as the density of development continues to increase.
“I think we would be wise to consider how we can better align our human activities to fit more in harmony with the environment instead of in competition with it — a win-win situation and not an impossible goal."
Last night Mr Roban defended his decision to approve the development — by attacking both the OBA and planning officials.
The minister alleged that the Opposition would hold back entrepreneurs if in office, adding that planning experts did not always “get it right”.
Mr Roban has frequently trumpeted his concerns over environmental issues and has pushed for progress on green initiatives such as a reduction in the use of fossil fuels.
He has also praised planning officials as experts whose knowledge should be heeded.
But in his statement last night, he argued that development — even in an already congested location such as Flatts Village — carried more weight than environmental fears about the future.
Mr Roban said: “The whole island should know that, if re-elected, the OBA will never uphold any appeal against any planning decision that may not be supported by technical officers of the Department of Planning.
“To assume that planning officers always get it right, and that entrepreneurs who are looking to build their business should be stymied — without any recourse to the elected government — is dangerous.
“But that is what the OBA will do if ever re-elected, so all Bermudians should understand.
“The law allows for the minister to judge an appeal. That is what I have done in this case, as we have done in many others. I stand by the decision, and look forward to there being additional amenities for our visitors and residents in the beautiful Flatts Village.
“This Government is committed to providing additional economic activity throughout Bermuda despite the silly and repeated attacks by an Opposition that is desperate for relevance.“
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