Sir Sean Connery adds his name to Bahamas campaign

James Bond star Sir Sean Connery has joined a lawsuit designed to stop fashion billionaire Peter Nygard from developing his mansion in the Bahamas.

As reported by the Observer last week, the Save the Bays campaign claims the property development risks environmental damage to some of the islands' most famous beaches, including those where the Bond and Jaws films were set. The group, including Connery, 83, who starred in seven Bond films, filed its lawsuit last week in an attempt to force a judicial review of the Bahamas government's treatment of the development plans in Nassau, on the northern peninsula.

In a statement to the Observer, Connery said: "Anything that disturbs the natural habitat of the bay has to be examined. They have to sort it out and not tamper with the natural coastline."

Connery, who has been based on the islands since the 1990s, is one of more than 100 residents and campaigners who say the way the government has dealt with the development plans filed by Nygard, founder of the Nygard fashion empire, has been flawed.

The Save the Bays campaign claims that there is a risk of damage to the ecology of the Clifton Bay area, including Jaws beach, where the third film in the blockbuster series was filmed, and they are seeking to prevent further development.

As reported by the Observer last week, the group claims that through building structures and laying down sand and concrete in the waters, Nygard has increased the size of his estate from three to six acres.

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