today.

MPs face intense pressure to drop the Bermuda Plan 1992 amid fears it will flash a green light to builders.

Ex-United Bermuda Party senator Wendell Hollis yesterday told MPs it would be a "national tragedy'' if the Plan went ahead unchanged.

Other key moves in the controversy include: Allegations Government risked paying hefty compensation if the Plan was approved -- and builders were stopped from moving on to Catchment Hill; Claims Parliament in 1920 had earmarked the area as a water catchment for a proposed hotel and golf club; The launch of a "Stop Catchment Hill Development'' petition by concerned Paget resident Ms Claire Smith; and A petition signing session today and next week at a booth outside Sail On in Front Street.

The House of Assembly today will be the focus of attention as it debates the Bermuda Plan.

Acting Environment Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira has stated he will move the Plan be passed.

Several Government MPs, however, have voiced anxiety over the Plan, which zones parts of Bermuda for possible development, including Catchment Hill.

They include backbenchers Mr. Trevor Moniz and Mr. Tim Smith, who fear passing the Plan will amount to approving development at Catchment Hill -- one of the Island's last open spaces.

Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge is also believed to be concerned.

The issue was thrashed out at a UBP caucus meeting on Thursday night, and afterwards Dr. Terceira said he believed some confusion over the Plan had been cleared up.

Approving the Plan was not tantamount to supporting Catchment Hill development, he stressed.

And of today's vote, he declared: "I think common sense will prevail.'' Dr. Terceira's remarks, however, spurred development protesters into action.

Mr. Hollis, a lawyer and ex-chairman of the National Trust's Environmental Committee, sent a letter to MPs, urging them to reject the Plan as it relates to Catchment Hill.

And he points out in 1991 he was chairman of a special Trust committee formed to examine an application by Bermuda Properties Ltd to develop Catchment Hill.

Strong opposition by the committee forced Bermuda Properties -- largely owned by non-Bermudians -- to back off.

Mr. Hollis attacks Dr. Terceira's claim that passing the Plan did not amount to endorsing Catchment Hill development.

"This last remark is fallacious in itself.'' Mr. Hollis says the zoning of Catchment Hill will allow Bermuda Properties to carry out "major development on that site''.

"It allows them to make an application to the Development Applications Board (DAB) for permission.

"The precedent and the practice of such hearings before the DAB indicate that, where and when zoning has been applied to properties which allow for development, provided that the applications complies with such zoning, permission is invariably granted in one form or the other.

"It is my view that the question of Catchment Hill must, and can, only be decided at Parliamentary level.

"The history of this starts at the Parliamentary level, and must finish at the Parliamentary level.'' Mr. Hollis says Parliament in 1920 approved the Bermuda Development Company Act.

This specified how land was to be acquired by compulsory purchase for the Bermuda Development Company, which had been formed to develop Tucker's Town, near Catchment Hill.

"At the time the purpose of the company was to build a resort with a residential area which was principally to the east of Tucker's Town Bay, 2 Golf Courses, a Golf Club and a Hotel facility.

"At the time it was perceived that in order to develop Bermuda as a world class tourist centre that such a company and its activities were beneficial to the Colony as a whole and therefore it was considered appropriate to allow for the compulsory purchase powers for the greater good of Bermuda.'' Mr. Hollis adds: "As I understand it, the Catchment Hill area was included in the land to be acquired as it was necessary to create a large water catchment on higher ground which would effectively feed both the Golf Club and the Hotel facility.'' The letter states plans by Bermuda Properties to develop Catchment Hill were contrary to Parliament's intentions in 1920.

"If the Members of Parliament approving the Development Company 1920 had known of this development, it is my submission that they clearly would not have approved of it.'' Lawyer Ms Clare Hatcher, meanwhile, pointed out the effects of the Development and Planning Act 1974.

She said any developer refused permission by the DAB to build on Catchment Hill could claim compensation -- if the Bermuda Plan was passed.

"It would appear to put Government in a difficult position.'' Petition organiser Ms Smith said many MPs had encouraged her protest.

"Getting signatures has been a very easy process. I don't know anybody who wants Catchment Hill developed. I urge everybody to sign at Sail On,'' she said.