the House of Assembly Sir John Cox, who died in 1990, have been approved in principle.

The land, used for grazing, was inherited by Sir John's son, Harry.

Nine in-principle applications for single unit houses have been conditionally approved by the Development Applications Board.

Eight relate to land off Jubilee Road, and one to an area off Parsons Lane.

The DAB reserved the right for final approval details relating to the proposed development.

Mr. Cox, whose ancestry in Bermuda dates back to 1628, said he had no current plans for development.

"It's a private matter, and I don't think I really want to go into it,'' he said.

"The applications relate to management of the estate in the light of planning regulations which are going to be brought in.''