meeting of planners yesterday.

Ex-National Liberal Party chairman Mr. Graeme Outerbridge was accused of "harassing'' Mr. Roydon Richardson.

And he allegedly picked a planning fight to get one over his Southampton neighbour.

The feud emerged at the tribunal listening to objections to the Bermuda Development Plan, a blueprint for the future of the Island.

Up to 400 objections to proposals are being considered by the tribunal at the Cabinet Building.

One of them was Mr. Outerbridge's objection to his neighbour's attempt to reduce the size of his orchard off Benevides Lane.

Mr. Richardson hopes the move will "open up'' his property, which is shielded by trees.

He claims the property can barely be seen as it is approached.

But at yesterday's hearing Mr. Outerbridge, who plans to run for the NLP again at the next election, attacked the bid to reduce the orchard -- declared arable land.

He likened arable land to gold, and said it needed to be preserved at all costs.

Mr. Outerbridge, however, whose property is up to 300 feet away from his neighbour's, said he was willing to be flexible.

He said he would be prepared for Mr. Richardson to reduce the orchard by about 20 or 30 feet.

Surveyor Mr. Ian Waddington, Mr. Richardson's agent, pointed out the tribunal was dealing with a "resolved objection''.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks had already agreed to Mr.

Richardson's plan.

"Mr. Outerbridge launched a counter objection, and this is what we are dealing with,'' said Mr. Waddington.

Mr. Richardson told the hearing Mr. Outerbridge's objection was "personal'' -- and not motivated by concern for arable land.

"He has been harassing me,'' he claimed.

Mr. Outerbridge, who stepped down as NLP chairman earlier this year, admitted there had been some disagreements between himself and his neighbour.