A National Trust architectural expert has urged Environment Minister Harry Soares to resist a knee-jerk reaction over objections to listing of historic buildings.

NT Historic Buildings Committee chairman Henry Ming called for the Minister to ease back and let due process take place, before considering any changes to the planned legislation.

Mr. Ming said he was concerned that the plans would be altered before they had had an opportunity to see if the scheme -- which has taken several years to come to fruition -- worked.

Last week Mr. Soares revealed there was a possibility the listing of historic buildings -- designed to protect and nurture the Island's physical heritage -- could become optional.

But conservationists fear that would undermine their work and could make the legislation worthless.

Mr. Ming, who also runs an architectural firm, has written to Mr. Soares -- who owns a listed building himself -- with his concerns over any planned changes.

And last night he said there was a need for massive public education on the subject and a time extension for those included in the scheme to be officially registered.

Mr. Ming said there was a lack of understanding among those who owned listed buildings and many -- in particular those whose homes were considered grade one -- were objecting because they feared they would be hamstrung when it came to altering their houses.

"People with grade one buildings have objected because of a lack of understanding. Had they had enough information, I don't think there would have been this rush to object,'' he said.

"We should allow due process to take place, assess every objection on its own merits and attempt to meet these people part way so there it is win-win. I don't think once you start something you should stop it in mid-stream.'' The legislation aims to register and protect Bermuda's important and architecturally valuable buildings, bringing in rising levels of controls for change, depending on the grade of the structure.

But Mr. Ming believes the lack of education has meant owners believe it simply forbids them from doing anything, hence the objections.

He says a time extension, coupled with an information blitz, is the way forward. And then, after careful consideration, if people still object then they should be allowed to come off the list.

The National Trust, which owns several listed buildings, is 100 percent behind the legislation, he said. But he added that people who had put many years into the project would be disappointed if its emphasis was changed suddenly.

ENVIRONMENT ENV PLANNING PLN