EXTENSIVE waterfront plans revealed this week by the Corporation of Hamilton were created without the consultation of environmental watchdog the Bermuda National Trust.

The Trust first learned the details of the ambitious, multi-million-dollar scheme at a public meeting held this week.

The charity flew in two experts only last month to conduct a study on the environmental impact megaships would have on the island.

Dr. Andrew Price of Warwick University in the United Kingdom and Michael Donlan of the Massachusetts-based Industrial Economics Inc. met with representatives of the Corporation of Hamilton while here, but were not informed it was investigating the possibility of reclaiming 11 acres of harbour. The pair have yet to submit their final report to the Trust.

"The National Trust was not consulted but it seems neither was anyone else so I guess we cannot complain," said the charity's director Steve Conway.

"Overall, it is good that the Corporation has formulated what it wants for the waterfront so it can plan with the future. It is certainly a huge and ambitious long-term plan and we are going to take a closer look at it before we respond.

"The consultants appointed by the Trust to comment on the Ministry of Tourism's Cruise Ports Master Plan are due to return their report to us by month's end ? however, they have only just been advised on the new City plan so it is new information to them."

Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp unveiled the Corporation's new vision for the waterfront at a public meeting held on Tuesday. Created in consultation with Tony Mallows of the Massachusetts-based firm Sasaki Associates and Patrick Phillips, president of Economics Research Associates in Washington, DC, the plan would see new land created in Hamilton Harbour, providing mass for luxury waterfront housing, a hotel, restaurants, public parks, offices and marinas. An underground car park, able to accommodate 800 cars and motorbikes, also forms part of the plan.

Additional improvements would see a new pier angled out of Albouy's Point, removing cruise ships from their traditional Front Street berth which causes blocked harbour views. Container docks would also be moved out of the City should the plan go through, possibly relocated to Morgan's Point or North Shore, on land near the incinerator.

Completion of the scheme could take as long as 20 years. A price tag of $639 million has been attached, with 80 per cent of funding drawn from the private sector and the remaining $122 million put up by the Corporation of Hamilton.

The Corporation now hopes the public will now give its feedback, Mr. Mallows insisting at the public meeting that the proposal is only the "first step" in establishing a blueprint.

"This plan is a tool," he said. "This is the first step in outlining a framework for how a master plan needs to be detailed and implemented. The Corporation has come forward with a vision and a framework.

"This is not a blueprint for how to build Hamilton's waterfront. My suggestion is that the next step is to refine and define the process where everyone can participate."

Although he acknowledged that the proposal is still in its infancy, Mr. Conway said it left many unanswered questions.

"The City waterfront plan needs to be considered as part of a broader strategy for an overall plan for the City and Bermuda. The other stakeholders now need to have input," he said.

"The relocation of the docks should be considered as an integral part of the City scheme not in isolation ? one can't work without the other.

"How will the land reclamation affect the tidal flow and silting down to the Foot of the Lane? The Bermuda Environmental Charter requires environmental assessments to be done as a part of major development projects, so we will have to ask for these to be done."

The director expressed his hope that the new design would maintain Bermuda's heritage and unique architecture, keeping it distinguishable from waterfronts elsewhere.

"Quality planning and design expertise is obviously important to ensure that Hamilton does not look like any other city waterfront. This will be the new face of Hamilton. What makes Hamilton memorable is the townscape of Front Street that has evolved from its function as a working waterfront.

"The verandas and mixture of heights and frontage styles is what makes it interesting. Front Street will become 'Second Street' and it needs to remain unhidden as the character and significance of Hamilton. The City of Hamilton Development Plan already permits multi-storey buildings on Front Street so a design criteria needs to be set up for anything built in front of Front Street.

"The proposed cruise ship berth allows for the option of a larger Panamax ship to come alongside. The consultant said that only a preliminary assessment had been made about cruise ship access. Is the widening of Two Rock Passage proposed? The City Plan must now be co-ordinated with the Government's Cruise Ports Plan."

Mr. Conwayquestioned as well, how the proposal aimed to cope with increased sewage and traffic levels, especially with congestion already a problem on Bermuda's roads.

"How does this major plan work with a larger traffic flow plan in and out of the City?" he asked. "Everyone still has to drive down Front or Reid Streets. Sewage disposal should be considered at this early stage. If such a major expensive scheme is planned, then is it not the time in this plan to provide for a tertiary treatment facility somewhere on the line before it is pumped overboard ? at Hungry Bay ? as it is at the moment.

"On a first-brush look at the proposal, there are naturally a number of questions that come to mind. There are a lot of things to hammer out in this plan ? which is to be expected ? but at least the City's initiative gets its 'vision' on the table for people to discuss."