Planning officials fear the new historical buildings scheme could be undermined.

They are unhappy with letters being sent to some owners of structures included on the new list that they believe could threaten the promotion work they are doing.

But the company involved has refuted the claims, and says it is just helping residents who are concerned about what the effect of being on the new list will be.

Bermuda Caribbean Engineering Consultants says a number of people have already approached it for advice about the listing -- many of whom still have not received their information package from the Government.

The company has now asked Environment Minister Harry Soares to extend the deadline for feedback from owners -- to give people more time to consider their options.

Some people on the new list -- which is designed to provide protection for the Island's physical heritage -- have received a letter from BCEC, offering assistance in determining what the listing could mean for their property.

It offers help for those who want to object and also warns that any changes will come under "greater scrutiny'' than normal.

In addition the letter warns that a list grading that is not reasonable could also decrease property value.

One Paget resident actually received a letter before he had been officially notified by the Planning Department of his listing.

Director of Planning Brian Rowlinson said he was concerned that the tone of the letter seemed to be generating objections and that it could undermine the Government's initiative.

But he apologised to anyone who had not yet received their package and asked those who had not, but had had a letter from BCEC, to contact the department.

Of the replies sent in so far, 61 are in favour of their listing and 12 against. And of 93 phone calls made to the department, just four have been negative.

Mr. Rowlinson said anyone who was concerned about their listing could take advantage of free advice given by Planning officials and the Historic Buildings Advsiory Committee.

He said he hoped by the time residents had actually submitted an application, that both sides would have a good idea of what to expect and would hopefully be saved from any nasty surprises.

And he added that experience from other areas that had listing had shown that it had a positive effect on the property value.

But David Summers of Bermuda Caribbean Engineering Consultants denied the letters were negative.

He said problems could arise with the new listing, particularly when it depended on how the grading criteria was applied and how objective the interpretation was of a particular structure.

There were applications currently being made for minor changes, and he was waiting to see how they were treated under the new process.

Whereas a landmark property could find its value enhanced by listing, Mr.

Summers said it was questionable whether the average property would benefit.

Many people had contacted his company for help, he said, and there was a clear need for the Government to extend the time limit for the return of feedback forms.