Plan yesterday.

An objections tribunal dealt with three of 400 complaints about the conservationist plan which will govern land development into the 21st Century.

A total of 1,159 protests against restrictive zonings were received but they were whittled down by planners who agreed many were justified.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr. Jack Lightbourn, will now consider objections, normally put by lawyers representing complainants, and counter-objections, from the Planning Department. People can also object to zoning changes agreed in principle between planners and complainants.

All three objections concerned areas of Southampton and the three panel members, who met in the Cabinet Building, will make site visits tomorrow. The plan aims to balance needs for housing, business and industry with the natural heritage of the Island.

It provides restrictions by zoning areas for development or open space, showing clear guidelines for the next decade.

Mr. Lightbourn said: "This is the first day and we have dealt with three objections to the plan. At the moment we are just feeling our way along but in a few weeks we will be able to deal with more.'' The main objection yesterday was from residents of the Rockaway Development next to the US Naval Annex.

Residents are complaining that the planners have zoned the seven-acre area immediately to the north of their homes as "residential-one'' which means a maximum of 20 houses per acre could be built there.

They want it to be changed to "residential-two'' which would mean a maximum of six houses per acre.

Assistant Director of Planning Mr. Brian Rowlinson said: "We have a situation where home owners have benefitted from the Bermuda Government housing scheme who are turning round and saying they do not want other Bermudians to benefit in the future.

"They have benefitted and are now trying to impose an unrealistic maximum on a perfectly good development site.

"It's an important development site and it will have an impact on Rockaway but not necessarily detrimental. The potential is there to provide reasonably priced housing for the people of Bermuda.'' Lawyers representing the residents said Planning officers had not discussed the matter properly with local people.

Planner Mr. Peter Adwick defended another part of the plan, off Middle Road, in Southampton, stating the land contained important mature woodland.

Mr. Adwick said: "It is principally white cedar which is an attractive tree.

This is probably one of the better stands of trees in Southampton.

"It has been made quite clear that areas of woodland are important in Bermuda and the value they provide is not just for ecological reasons but also in amenity terms.'' However a local resident who agreed that the trees are important, said they should not be preserved in their entirety because they encroach onto his land.

The process is expected to continue into summer and all decisions must be completed by the end of the year.