Former Environment Minister Terry Lister has blocked a bid by billionaire businessman Ross Perot to build a second luxury house and swimming pool at his home in Tucker's Town, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

The former United States presidential candidate appealed last week against a planning decision to turn down his application, and the Planning Inspector ruled in his favour.

But in a comparatively rare move, Mr. Lister this week overturned the decision of Planning Inspector Brian Field and said the Development Applications Board was correct to reject Mr. Perot's application.

He said the 5,500 square-foot, two-storey house and pool which Mr. Perot wants to build next to his luxury home 'Caliban' in Tucker's Town could be moved to the north so it does not encroach on open space.

The DAB rejected the application because it would encroach on green space or open space on the site off Tucker's Town Road, and was in breach of conditions given when the plot of land was sub-divided.

The department also noted that the house could be moved to the north so that it did not encroach on the open space.

But Mr. Perot's architects Conyers and Associates argued at an appeal hearing last week that the conservation zoning where Mr. Perot planned to build the second house was arbitrary, and alleged the Planning Department had scope for discretion.

Mr. Perot offered to "trade" his croquet lawn, which would be held in perpetuity as open space, to make up for the ground swallowed up by the new house.

Mr. Field agreed with the appeal, and ruled: "By way of conservation for a relatively modest encroachment into the conservation area, the appellant has also offered to enter a section 34 agreement to maintain much of the residential 2 area as open space. Against this backdrop, I am inclined to support the appellant."But in a handwritten attachment to the Inspector's Report on Monday, Mr. Lister wrote: "I disagree with the position taken by the inspector.

"I believe the Director of Planning is correct in referring to the conditions that were in place when the subdivision approval was granted.

"Furthermore, as the opportunity exists to move the proposed dwelling to the north in order for it to be sited entirely within the appropriate development area, then this should be done."