Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson is looking into unauthorised building work carried out on zoned woodland in St. George's which was stopped by planning officers last week.

The Royal Gazette revealed on Monday that planning enforcement officers issued a stop notice on Chris West over a path he had begun to bulldoze through land he owns at Cut Road, St. George's. The land is zoned woodland, but Mr. West, the owner of the White Horse Tavern in St. George's, said he began cutting the path to land where he was building a cottage after receiving no reply from planning officials over an application he made.

He said he knew the land was wooded reserve, but it had not had any trees on it since he bought it 20 years ago.

Planning enforcement officers ordered Mr. West to stop all building work on Thursday until the matter is investigated.

Acting Planning Director Rudolph Hollis said yesterday that the matter was being looked at by Mr. Hodgson.

Mr. West has since submitted a revised application, but any punishment for breaching the zoning laws would need to be handed out by the courts.

It was unclear yesterday whether it would be Mr. Hodgson's responsibility to recommend if court action was taken against Mr. West. Mr. Hollis said: "We have issued a notice to stop all work until all these matters can be addressed.

"He'll have to satisfy us that the action with the woodland reserve has nothing to do with the house. The stop notice will allow sufficient time to investigate what has happened and to address some concerns expressed by the residents about activity taking place inside the woodland reserve. If development has taken place that requires an application to be made retroactively to the Development Application Board.

"If they are not happy, he can appeal to the minister who has the powers to approve. He submitted a revised application after the stop notice. Any punishments issued must come through the courts.'' Mr. Hollis said Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson was looking into the case.

Mr. West could not be contacted as he is on vacation. Bermuda National Trust director Amanda Outerbridge said it was "unacceptable'' for landowners to flout planning procedures.

Arthur Hodgson