Development and Planning Amendment Bill 2022

What this bill does

This bill changes how the government makes rules about what types of businesses and activities can operate in different areas of Bermuda. It gives Parliament more oversight by requiring these rules to go through a formal review process, and it cancels an old set of rules from 1975.

If passed (voted YES)

• Parliament will have the ability to review and potentially reject new rules about land use and business classifications before they take effect
• The current 47-year-old rules about what types of businesses can operate where will be removed
• The Minister will need to create new, updated rules to replace the cancelled 1975 regulations

If rejected (voted NO)

• The Minister can continue making land use rules without formal Parliamentary oversight
• The 1975 rules about business and land use classifications will remain in place
• Parliament will have no formal process to review or challenge these types of planning decisions

Who it affects

This primarily affects property owners, businesses, and developers who need to understand what activities are allowed on their land. It also impacts Members of Parliament who will gain more oversight over planning decisions that shape Bermuda's development.