International to erect a giant satellite dish in an area set aside for community use.

The telecommunications company has applied to construct the 54-foot dish near its operations centre on St. David's Road.

But residents fear the eyesore could reduce property values in the area and block scenic views.

The land on which the proposed dish could be built is an area rented by TeleBermuda from the Bermuda Land Development Company -- but Government had earlier pencilled in the plot for community use.

Former St. George's Mayor and St. David's resident Henry Hayward has now written to Planning Minister Harry Soares appealing a decision by the Development Application Board which approved the plan in principle.

Both Mr. Hayward and St. George's South MP Rick Spurling have urged TBI to consider setting up the huge dish at an alternative site a short distance away.

"An area at Southside is to be utilised as a technology park, so there will be a demand for more satellite dishes in the next few years,'' Mr. Spurling said.

"It makes sense to put them all in one area in a satellite dish farm near the sewage plant... it's a rock-filled area next to a cliff where the dishes can access the eastern horizon.'' But Mr. Hayward said TBI claims relocating the proposed dish will cost too much money.

"If they can run a cable about 700 miles all the way from the eastern seaboard, we're talking about the addition of an extra mile or two -- and objecting to that doesn't make sense,'' he said.

Both Mr. Hayward and Mr. Spurling stressed TBI and BLDC's responsibility to consider the needs of the surrounding St. David's community.

Mr. Spurling said: "BLDC has been sympathetic to objections by the residents but obviously wishes to encourage TBI as well.

"We're in favour of development and we encourage TBI too, but we want consideration for the community that must neighbour this satellite dish... We're asking TBI to be a good corporate citizen.''