with the Bermuda Plan 1992 which imposes greater control on development and use of land.

Chairman of the Trust's environmental committee Mrs. Lee Davidson yesterday said: "The new plan appears to be more protective of the environment''.

But she said she could not comment further until after the committee had reviewed it in full.

The committee is scheduled to meet in two weeks to discuss the plan, which was released last Friday, and Elbow Beach Hotel's application to build a 120-room extension and conference facilities at its site off South Road, Paget.

The hotel, which underwent a $25 million facelift between last November and May this year, has also applied for an additional 11 guest suites.

Environmental officer Miss Anne Steele said the committee would be prepared to comment on the hotel's application after reviewing it at the meeting.

But the review of the Bermuda Plan is expected to take more than the one meeting, Mrs. Davidson said.

Meanwhile copies of the Bermuda Plan, which replaced the 1983 Development Plan that has governed development in Bermuda for nearly a decade, are available at parish post offices.