Development Applications Board.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering have submitted the proposal -- which if accepted -- will see a 220,000-square-foot facility built by 2002 on Berkeley Road, adjacent to the current school.

In a letter to Planning Director Brian Rowlinson, Works and Engineering project manager Kyril Burrows wrote: "The existing Berkeley Institute entrusted by the Ministry of Education to the Berkeley Board of Governors has a long and prestigious history of secondary education in Bermuda... The proposed new Berkeley Institute Senior School aims to continue this successful tradition with this, the second senior school to be constructed as part of current middle and senior school restructuring of education in Bermuda.'' Mr. Burrows also pointed out the the proposed school is "inclusive of the former Ridgeway property and The Haven property on Berkeley Road.

"All existing buildings will be demolished to provide a clean site for new buildings,'' he stated.

"The proposal has been and continues to be presented to different groups and organisations.

"These groups include immediate neighbours and Berkeley affiliated organisations.'' The plans were also expected to be presented to the Bermuda National Trust and other interested parties in the near future, he added.

"This proposal is representative of extensive programming, planning, and design input to achieve a solution that is both functional and respectful of the Bermuda architectural aesthetic,'' Mr. Burrows said.

"The Berkeley with its rich educational heritage and history will be relocated to this prominence to continue its mission.'' Groundbreaking for the new "state-of-the-art' school on the 7.42-acre site is expected to begin early next year.

PLANNING PLN