more about crabs and longtails than people.

About seven members of the Williams family want to build homes on an open coastal area of Saucos Hill, but the DAB has rejected their draft plan.

Board members ruled that because of the number of vacant lots around the Island, the 18-lot subdivision would be "premature and contrary to the public interest''.

They decided the site is important visually and for habitat, after considering a report on the area's use by land crabs and birds, particularly longtails.

Trade and travel representative Mr. David Williams slammed the decision as unfair and dictatorial.

"We'll have to appeal, but I don't see why we should have to.'' He said Government has already "taken'' more than half the family's property in zoning restrictions, and is now taking the five hectares covered by the plan.

This is despite the family reserving areas in the plan for green space, he said.

"They took over half of our property and now they've taken it all,'' he said.

"They figure that we're insignificant. I don't even believe it's constitutional for them to take our property as they are doing. What compensation are we getting for what they are taking away from us? "They're putting more importance on crabs and longtails than on the owners of the property, who happen to be human beings.

"No-one objected except the National Trust. Government is hiding behind them.'' The family told the board they want to build homes for themselves and their many children. Because of the cost of property, to turn down their plan would deprive them of a chance to own their own homes, the board heard.