Developers were stopped from building on woodland reserve and open space in Warwick by a recent Development Applications Board decision.

The Hamptons Trust was refused in principle planning approval to construct five new homes at Westmount Lane, Warwick, according to the most recent DAB minutes.

The application was refused because the trust failed to comply with regulations in the Bermuda Plan 1992, which protects open space and woodland reserve, the DAB said.

Also in Warwick, The New Testament Church of God on Cedar Hill, was granted planning permission to to convert its basement into a meeting room.

Pastor Eugene Joell said yesterday he was pleased the plan for "a little extension to the church" had been approved.

Rev. Joell said the Cedar Hill church was a "small place" and the new room could be used as a Sunday school or a place where "young people could hold a fellowship on Friday nights".

Although he said it would be too small for weddings, he hoped the extension could be used for either a simple cup of tea after worship or serve, in a more formal setting, as the meeting place for the ten Warwick ministers to hold their monthly meeting.

"You have made my weekend," Pastor Joell said yesterday when he heard the news.