homes on Ship's Hill to plug holes in an earlier environmental report.

Last year, Bermuda Properties Ltd. carried out a survey in the area to assess the potential impact of its plans on the environmentally sensitive site.

However the report was heavily criticised by independent English assessors who gave it a `D' rating.

Now BPL is investing a further $100,000 to bring in a five-strong team to further research the impact of construction on a cave system as well as animal and plant species.

BPL general manager Peter Parker said: "We are confident that once the research is completed and documented we will have irrefutable scientific evidence that our proposed development will have no adverse effects on the caves and their eco-systems.'' As part of its planning application, BPL was asked to draw up an environmental impact study of its plans to build the homes.

The Planning Department sent it to the Institute of Environmental Assessment in England for study.

It gave it a `D' grade and pointed out several deficiences, including: No description of the waste water plant which was considered a "significant omission because of the potential impact on caves''.

No details of the phasing of the development.

No survey on the abundance, population and age of fauna.

It also said alternative sites should have been considered "where these are practical and available to be developed'', with "environmental advantages and disadvantages'' discussed.

The assessment adds that the environmental impact study states that the Ship's Hill plan will "evaluate the feasibility of restoration and clean-up of Bitumen Cave''.

"This wording does not imply that the developer is wholly committed to cleaning up the caves and this should be clarified,'' said the assessment.

The scientific team arrived in Bermuda earlier this week after BPL commissioned the Earth and Marine Sciences division of international consulting firm Arthur D. Little to carry out further surveys.

Two Arthur D. Little scientists are on the team which is made up of a structural engineer from Venezuala and two world-renowned geophysicists.

They will spend two weeks in Bermuda conducting tests inside and outside the caves.

Once it is completed, their report will be submitted to the Planning Department which can go ahead and consider BPL's application.

Mr. Parker added: "BPL is firmly committed to ensuring that the cave structures under Ship's Hill will not be damaged by the development planned for the site.''