A decision on the controversial proposed dolphin park is one step closer after overseas Ministerial advisers performed inspections of the site last week.

Permanent Secretary of the Environment Wayne Carey said the overseas inspectors are going to advise Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield on whether or not to allow the appeal of Dolphin Oasis owners Martin and Lynn Hassell.

?Dolphin Oasis has not been decided upon,? Mr. Carey said. ?The overseas planning inspectors have come and gone. We are waiting for their reports, which will then advise the Minister.?

But Mr. Carey admitted their visit was ?all very recent? and said he did not know when the final decision would be announced.

The Hassells have appealed a decision by the Development Applications Board to refuse them planning permission to build a second dolphin park on the Island.

The overseas planning experts went over the Hassells? appeal as well as the response from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

On March 18, over 40 demonstrators took to the streets to urge Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield to reject the Hassells? appeal.

Pop star Heather Nova told she was protesting the dolphin park for two reasons.

?First, I don?t believe in keeping wild animals in captivity for entertainment or profit,? she said. ?Second, it is important to preserve the natural environment by not dredging Sinky Bay.?