THE Ministry of Tourism's project to build a stage on Horseshoe Beach appears to contravene national parks law, the Mid-Ocean News has discovered.

The Bermuda National Parks Act 1986 classifies the South Shore Park, of which Horseshoe Bay is a part, as a Class B protected area.

The law requires that, like many other parks, South Shore Park should be "managed in a manner to encourage conservation and enjoyment of the natural, historic and educational features of these areas with a minimum of commercial activity".

Some residents were furious yesterday after it came to light that work had already started on the bandstand, centrally situated against the dunes at the back of the beach.

Construction was halted on Wednesday by a stop order and Tourism Director Cherie Whitter said that workers had jumped the gun in starting work before a location had been finalised.

Yesterday Planning Director Rudolph Hollis declined to comment, other than saying he had passed his observations on to Wayne Carey, the permanent Secretary of the Environment.

Neither Mr. Carey, nor Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield returned our calls yesterday.

Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said this week the project was an attempt to improve tourism and added: "We are not going to be stopped by the nay-sayers and unprogressive elements."

The Bermuda National Trust issued a one-paragraph statement on the issue yesterday through its environmental conservation officer Dorcas Roberts.

In an e-mailed statement, Ms Roberts said: "In relation to the temporary stage that is under construction at Horseshoe Bay, the National Trust is wary of any action that increases the level of commercialisation of our public parks and beaches, fearing that such actions could threaten their long-term environmental viability."

But one resident who called this newspaper expressed his concern in far stronger terms and said many of his neighbours felt the same way.

"People here are outraged that the most important beach in Bermuda is being desecrated," said the man, who asked not to be named. "It's heart-breaking to see this happen.

"It would be interesting to know what the Planning Department felt about this.

"People are also concerned that there will be masts going up for lighting. The next step will be that they'll try to get a liquor licence down there.

"By law, liquor is not allowed to be sold on public parkland and Southampton residents have already fought four court hearings against licences at Horseshoe and won.

"What are they trying to do? Get 4,000 cruise ship passengers dancing down there on the most dangerous beach in Bermuda at night, when no lifeguards are on duty?"