The twin tower cement storage silos at Dockyard could soon be replaced by a less visually intrusive 90-foot high dome-shaped silo a few hundred yard further south on Freeport Drive.

Plans have been submitted by the Bermuda Cement Company to construct the new cement storage and distribution centre, freeing up the old site for future historical and tourism-orientated development.

Bermuda?s main cement storage facility has had a chequered history of late due to a drawn out dispute over lease agreements between the cement firm and landlord the West End Development Company.

A resolution was finally reached earlier this year and the Cement Company this week submitted detailed plans to build a new facility at Dockyard that includes a single domed storage unit standing 90 feet tall and with a diameter of 100 feet.

Presently the twin silos used to store cement are considered an eyesore, particularly as they are located so close to one of the main disembarking points for cruise ships visiting the Island and the various tourist attractions at Dockyard.

Wedco general manager Lloyd Telford said in a letter included with the planning application: ?Wedco is in full support of the application to erect a new cement distribution facility at the south basin in the Royal Naval Dockyard.

?The board has vetted the ?dome proposal? and is in support of the facility design and proposed plant operations. This relocation exercise is in keeping with the overall plan for the West End.?

He said the Corporation has established an industrial zone in the south basin of Dockyard and the cement facility was a major development partner.

To construct the cement dome, it will be necessary to remove an old water tank that has listed building status. However, the planning application notes: ?It is understood that Wedco have already consulted with the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee and are agreed that the tank in question is of marginal importance and should be removed to allow the enhancement of the tourism-orientated north basin.?

The Cement Company, which is now 40 years old, imports 50,000 tons of cement a year from Mexican supplier Cemex.

Advantages listed in the planning application for having the cement operation 500 feet further south from the present twin tower silos is the proximity to a deep water dock that allows the cement transport ships to dock and unload cargo straight into the silo.

The Government and Wedco are responsible for any road system, sewage and water collection and supply alterations at the site.

A lease agreement for the land between Wedco and the cement company will not exceed 20 years.

The existing twin silo storage facility will not be demolished immediately but will remain in place ?for several months? after the proposed dome facility is built and operating.