Plans to turn a building at Shelly Bay into a new restaurant have been granted planning approval by the Development Applications Board.

While the plans for the Shelly Bay Beach House sparked controversy due to the inclusion of a new parking lot near the existing playground, that element of the plan was shelved by the developer in the wake of a public outcry.

The plans approved by the DAB instead proposed an expansion of the existing parking area to the east of the property, providing spaces for 14 additional cars, and minor alterations to a parking area to the west of the building to create a handicapped parking space and one space for an existing rental unit on the property.

When completed, the proposed restaurant would have seating for 100 patrons, an ice cream counter and a beach rental shop.

According to the minutes of the meeting, the board questioned the technical officer about who owned the property.

The technical officer responded that the building and park were both owned by the Bermuda Government, and the Estates section of the Ministry of Public Works had confirmed that only the building would be leased out to a private entity — which would pay for all renovations for the building.

The board also asked about bathrooms, and were told the restaurant would have three bathrooms on the upper floor, while bathrooms on the ground floor would remain open to the public and renovated by the Ministry of Public Works.

Given all the details, the board resolved to approve the application.