if he can build his hilltop dream home in Hamilton Parish.

Biological Station director Dr. Tony Knap's appeal to build on the top of a hill off Trinity Church Road was turned down by the Development Applications Board.

The plans, which if approved would allow Dr. Knap to build his home overlooking Harrington Sound and North Shore, were originally rejected last year because the area was zoned as open space.

Dr. Knap, who argued that there were no longer trees on the land, reapplied to build lower down the hill on land zoned medium density.

He was granted permission to do so. But he lodged the appeal against the DAB's original decision after forward planners deemed the area at the top of the hill residential under the 1992 Bermuda Plan.

He also argued it would be more detrimental to the environment to build in the medium density zone because it was virgin land covered in dense vegetation and trees.

Last week the board refused the application on the ground that it was also the subject of an objection to the draft 1992 Bermuda Plan which is yet to be approved.

"I've been waiting so long to build,'' Dr. Knap told The Royal Gazette .

"But I'm a patient man.

"At the present time I have permission to build at the bottom of the hill, but I don't see the sense of building down there.'' "I agree with the 1992 Plan. This is what I have been assuming from the beginning because it's quarry. So I was disappointed when the original application was turned down. But I was pleased that forward planners agreed that it was residential.'' The DAB also turned down Mrs. Jennifer Matthew's application to build two additional lots, of 7,709 feet, off Middleton Lane on South Shore, Paget.

"In view of the number of existing vacant lots, the approval of the proposed subdivision at this time would be premature and contrary to the public interest,'' the board stated.

"The site forms a strategically important tract of land which, in its existing undeveloped state, is of major landscape and habitat importance.'' The board approved movie mogul Mr. Robert Stigwood's application to alter and add to existing plans which include a sea-wall and new guest rooms.

But the plans were approved with the conditions including: Prior to the beginning construction, a separate application for a building permit must be made and approved; Vegetation shall be protected during construction and if damaged, replaced and maintained to the satisfaction of the DAB; and Guest rooms shall be complementary to the main residence and shall not be used as a permanent residence.

The DAB also approved in principle Mr. Henry Cox's application for woodland management in a nature reserve at Hawkins Island.

The application was given the green light under the conditions that on submission of a final planning application the area to be managed should be clearly defined and physically illustrated to prevent increasing damage to the Nature Reserve.