by bernews

On Monday, September 13, 2010 another step was made in the much discussed ‘land swap’, with the principals of Southlands and the Bermuda Government meeting, and signing a formal agreement. The agreement will see a luxury resort built at Morgan’s Point, while Southlands will become a park.

A bill is expected to go before the House of Assembly as early as November 2010 to make the agreement official, with Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess saying “It is the Government‘s plan to proceed with the Morgan’s Point Resort Bill 2010 during the next Legislative Session, thereby giving legal effect to the exchange of lands between Government and Southlands Ltd.”

The Premier said “Although the ultimate passage of the Act of the Legislature required to fully address the technical aspects of these lands will not be my work, I am pleased to have joined with my colleague Minister Burgess in taking the matter through Cabinet and confirm that the Attorney General’s Chambers continue to draft the legislation. I am confident that the Morgan’s Point Resort Bill 2010 will be among the first matters considered when the House returns.”

The Premier also said the development will receive “significant scrutiny as it proposes to occupy the last large tract of land ripe for tourism development.”