Environmentalists have called for public support as they make a last-ditch bid to save a haven for rare species from a multi-million dollar development.

Members of pressure group Save Open Spaces fear the planned $65 million Ship's Hill housing scheme could lead to the loss of endangered marine life in the caves which lie below the site.

SOS has already lodged an appeal against the decision to allow Bermuda Properties Ltd. to build there and say they will take the Minister of Environment to the Supreme Court, if their appeal fails.

"If we get financial support we will take it all the way,'' said SOS trustee Ian MacDonald-Smith. "We don't hold out any hope at all.

"We have got to go through the motions, we are talking about the survival of 11 shrimp species in the caves.'' Mr. MacDonald-Smith said it was time for Bermudians -- who so far had failed to back the campaign -- to stand up and protest before it was too late.

"This is the last chance to help, we would appreciate some help. We have been fighting this for the last two-and-a-half years and it is about time Bermudians started putting their money where their mouth is.'' And he slammed Bermuda Properties Ltd. and planning officials for defying advice from a world expert on caves, which stated that species found there were on a world endangered list. "There is no way that the species will not be affected,'' he said.

"These are very important issues -- it comes down to ecological morality.'' Mr. MacDonald-Smith asked why the adjoining quarry could not have been chosen as the site for the development, thereby avoiding any risk to the shrimps in the caves.

"We are not against the development, we are against it being right there.'' The development includes houses with swimming pools, townhouses and tennis courts.

Peter Parker, general manager of Bermuda Properties Ltd, declined to comment on the matter.

An environmental impact assessment report submitted by BPL -- which was praised by overseas assessors -- revealed that no damage would be caused to the caves from the work.

Fears over leaching from swimming pools and sewage disposal were also allayed at the same time.

Brian Rowlinson, Director of Planning, said the appeal was now before the Minister and he could not comment further.

He added that the appeal process could take up to eight weeks.

In other planning related news yesterday, a private bill put forward by BPL is still being discussed by the Private Bills Committee.

If it is passed, it will allow BPL to sell or dispose of the land it holds in Tucker's Town. Government put restrictions on BPL when it was formed in 1958 to prevent it from doing this.