A large number of Bermudian and foreign companies have shown interest in producing land use plans for the returning Bases, Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said yesterday.

Representatives of many of the companies toured the Base lands this week, Dr.

Gibbons said.

Government has received more than 50 requests for detailed job specifications and has extended by one week the November 1 deadline for companies to submit proposals, he added.

Early this month, Government called for proposals from companies interested in producing "suggested land use strategies'' for the Base lands. The land includes the US Naval Air Station at St. David's, the US Naval Annex at Southampton, and the former Canadian Forces Base at Daniel's Head near Somerset. Together, they comprise about ten percent of the Island's land area.

The US Navy is leaving St. David's next September. The other Bases are already vacated.

A main overseas company with a Bermudian partner or sub-contractors is likely to be hired, though Dr. Gibbons has not ruled out giving all the work to Bermuda firms. "It may be that there is no one in Bermuda with the kind of expertise we need, but we are not taking that for granted,'' he said.

The consultant selected will work with the Base utilisation committee, made up of Bermudians selected from a wide range of business and other interests. A Planning Department official is to "provide local expertise and knowledge, and assist with the coordination of the project.'' While the consultants will help develop a planning "framework'' for the Bases by early next year, the lands will not immediately be "zoned'' like the rest of Bermuda is, Dr. Gibbons said. That will allow more flexibility.

Also, many military buildings on the Bases do not meet Bermudian codes, he said. "It might be a good idea to allow less exacting standards for a period of time, so as not to discourage use by individuals and organisations which might be frightened off by the expense of getting the buildings up to scratch.'' Losing the $50 million the Bases pumped into the economy annually and faced with the added costs of running the Airport, Bermuda has been dealt "a double financial blow,'' Dr. Gibbons said.

"It is going to be important to offset these losses by using the vacated lands and buildings to generate new income.'' At the same time, Government does not want to allow developments that will conflict with surrounding land uses, like residential St. David's, or hurt Bermuda's tourism or exempt company business, he said.

There are also concerns about new businesses on the St. David's Base hurting businesses in St. George's, he said.

The committee will consider development proposals while the planning framework is being worked on, he said. "We haven't got the luxury of a lot of time.'' Still, "it's important not to make some very quick short-term decisions which could impact the the longer-term success of the development of these lands,'' he said. "We've got to strike a balance here between moving exeditiously but not being foolish in our rush to get people down there.'' In considering development proposals, criteria the committee will use include the need to diversify Bermuda's economy, the need to generate foreign exchange, environmental impact, Bermudian employment, and enhancement of the Island's social fabric, he said.