hopes smashed at the first hurdle.

The Bermuda Equestrian Federation's million-dollar facility at Vesey Street, Devonshire, was set to include a full quarter mile harness track, full dressage area, an international show jumping arena and a driving ring.

But the plan -- dubbed by environmentalists as a potential ecological disaster -- was rejected at a recent meeting of the Development Applications Board.

The Board resolved that: "The proposal would result in an unacceptable loss of woodland, which has been identified as having a high amenity and ecological value'' and "would be a highly intrusive development in this otherwise rural location... to the detriment of visual and environmental amenities of the area''.

The decision comes despite efforts from BEF president Michael Cherry to assure environmental organisations -- the main objectors -- that the group would be sensitive to the surrounding vegetation during the excavation and building stages.

Equestrian centre's plans get the thumbs down The BEF also insisted that the undertaking would not cost the taxpayer a penny.

The project would have involved the removal of 3.8 acres of public hillside -- classified as woodland reserve and home to native vegetation and many species of birds. The BEF, which has about 300 members, intended to lease the land from Government.

In the initial stages of the project's development, Mr. Cherry said: "One of the reasons for the need for the new equestrian centre is because of the amount of development which has been allowed to happen elsewhere, thereby reducing the areas where equestrians can enjoy their chosen sport.'' But the project was hit by scandal two years ago after zoning rules for the woodland reserve were controversially lifted by then Environment Minister John Irving Pearman. It was later revealed that the project's architect, David Summers, had close ties with the then United Bermuda Party Government and the Minister.

And environmentalists claimed the excavation of the hillside would involve quarrying out 200,000 cubic yards of rock. The dust, noise and change in topography of the site was expected to environmentally devastate the area and nearby Devonshire Marsh. The project would have also left an unsightly 95-foot cliff face, they argued.

A massive petition organised by the National Trust in October 1997 amounted to more than 1,000 objections to the development.

"We were concerned that a public area was going to be torn down for the benefit of a relatively small group,'' National Trust director Amanda Outerbridge said yesterday.

"We objected strenuously to the application, therefore obviously we are pleased that the DAB has turned it down.

"We hope that this will be an opportunity for the Equestrian Federation to consider other locations for such a development and we have suggested to the Government that the area be turned into park land.'' HORSE RACING RAH