nuisance but major issues for the people of Bermuda, according to the Trust's director.

A four-page advertisement in The Royal Gazette yesterday claimed the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will be "an unprecedented opportunity to put the fascinating mysteries of the deep on display in the centre of Bermuda.'' But the National Trust has lodged a detailed explanation of its objections to the plan, on Crow Lane, off East Broadway, rocking the smooth passage of the Government-backed Institute.

And Director Ms Amanda Outerbridge said: "To cast the Trust as a group of latter day Luddites, who could not possibly see the benefits of this `hi-tech, state-of-the-art' plan would be erroneous.

"It is apparent that the BUEI has decided to explain its plans to Bermuda as a whole.

"We are pleased that the developers of this project did discuss their earlier plans with us and together we have achieved a scaled-down version of the originals.

"As far as the National Trust is concerned we are particularly pleased that there is no longer an office block dominating the property, but there remain serious objections to the development which are still unresolved.'' Ms Outerbridge said everyone would be more "comfortable'' if the BUEI remained open to discussion on the points. She said: "They may seem to be nuisances to them but are in fact major environmental issues for the people of Bermuda.'' The points, Ms Outerbridge was referring to were six detailed objections put forward to the planning department by the National Trust. These include the encroachment of the proposed Institute's restaurant seating area onto Pembroke Hall, a National Trust owned property.

Other objections included over-development, the size and the negative impact on marine environment and coastline. Ms Outerbridge said: "Natural shore areas are important to preserve otherwise we will have nothing but docks and sea walls encompassing the Island.

"Presently there is a sea bed which in itself is not only host to a variety of marine life, but which is a natural feature which the developer seeks to cover in an effort to create a deep water sea wall/dock.'' "It would indeed be a sad day for Bermuda if we allowed the developers to cover the sea bed with rubble and cement.'' Ms Outerbridge also pointed out Trust objections on the grounds of traffic congestion on East Broadway which is the main road into Hamilton and which generates traffic throughout the day.

The Trust also suggested that the Institute could be based on the site of the Bermuda Maritime Museum, as visitors would not be keen to visit two similar institutions in different parts of the Island.

Ms Outerbridge said: "Dockyard has numerous historical buildings which are in need of redevelopment and which would seem appropriate to accommodate the needs of the Institute.'' She added that the National Trust did not oppose the concept of the Institute but they have told the BUEI that they would oppose any institution which did not adhere to certain "international collections policies.'' There are five other objectors to the plans -- Crows Nest Ltd., Ms Catherine Mercer, Ms Mary Gray, Mrs. John Taplin and Mr. Sanders Frith Brown.