At the objections tribunal into the Bermuda Plan, the Trust has asked that the zoning of the islands be changed to make them nature reserves.

The Planning Department has zoned the islands as green space which means limited development would be allowed.

The islands are: Bethell's Island, Eta Island and Whale Island, in Sandys; Five Star Island and Fish Hook Island, in Southampton; and Marshall's Island, Fern Island and Watling Island, in Warwick.

In a statement to the tribunal, the new Director of Planning Mr. Brian Rowlinson stated: "These objections concern two islands in Ely's Harbour, five in the Sound and one off South Shore.

"All the islands accommodate some form of existing development with the exception of Fish Hook Island off South Shore.

"The Trust proposes a nature reserve zoning for the entire Fish Hook Island.

In the other seven cases, the Trust proposes a nature reserve designation for the land area surrounding the existing development.'' In a statement to the Planning Department the National Trust said: "Our small islands are unique and fragile habitats which need to be afforded maximum protection, particularly if they are developed or used in any way.'' But the Planning Department stressed that no supporting evidence specific to each island had been put forward by the Trust.

A report from the Planning Department said: "The planning statement makes it clear that nature reserves are areas of special environmental significance which support native flora and fauna and `provide glimpses of Bermuda's natural heritage.' "The zoning cannot be applied indiscriminately to any area of open land as is suggested by the Trust.

"Fish Hook Island is at the eastern end of a string of small, barren rocky outcrops off South shore. According to the Conservation Officer it is not even a longtail nesting place.'' Mr. Rowlinson pointed out that the feeling of his department was that the islands would be protected by their present green and open space zonings.

The Trust also called on an area of Long Island, in the Great Sound, to be zoned as a nature reserve.

They were one of four objectors to the island's zoning as green space, nature reserve and open space.

The other objectors, Gibbons Management, Mr. Colin Selley and C.H.B. Crisson want to see a "recreational'' structure built on the island.

Mr. Rowlinson asked the tribunal to keep the zoning as it stands.