The Minister of the Environment has allowed a former Editor of to build condos on Knapton Hill, Smith's, despite the protest of 100 of his neighbours.

However, despite his Planning victory, David White ? who was the editor of for 22 years from July 1976 to December 1998 ? said too many condos were being built on the Island anyway and that he would not start construction for now.

"I decided that there are, right now, too many condos on the market," Mr. White said. "Therefore, I am currently providing tender loving care for the small pink cottage and its garden. When I think there is a need for more condos I will apply for 22 family-style townhouses."

Mr. White said he was allowed 22 townhouses, or 24 block condos within his land's zoning.

The Development Applications Board (DAB) granted in-principle planning approval to Mr. White to build eight condos and a swimming pool at "Hollowit", at No. 11, Knapton Hill on February 9.

But on April 1 over 100 residents signed a petition against the development and appealed the DAB's decision to Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield.

Heidi and John Aguiar called Mr. White's Planning application deceptive and said there were no other developments of this type in the area.

"This proposal being completely uncharacteristic on this prominent and highly visible area would indeed have a negative impact on the neighbourhood," Mr. White's aggravated neighbours said in the appeal.

However, on September 13, Minister Butterfield agreed with the recommendations of Planning inspector Ian Cumming and the neighbours' appeal was refused.

Mr. Cumming performed an unsupervised site visit at "Hollowit" on July 11.

"Though the appellants acknowledge the need for housing, it is suggested that the proposed development will be out of reach of many in need and be of a character untypical of Bermuda," Mr. Cumming said on August 9. "The proposals will generate excessive traffic in an area of traffic hazards and reduce local open space."

However, the inspector went on to say that Mr. White's proposed development could have been much larger, as set out in the 1992 Planning Statement.

"The style and appearance of the development will incorporate typical elements of Bermuda architecture," Mr. Cumming said. "As regards traffic objections, it is to be hoped that calming measures on Knapton Hill might be considered."

It was undeniable that Mr. White's development would bring significant change to an already changing neighbourhood, Mr. Cumming said.

"Clearly change does cause much anxiety for some and disappointment for others," he said. "Traffic is clearly the predominant anxiety of those signing the petition. I consider that traffic management measures do offer scope for addressing this problem so that it becomes tolerable."

He concluded the amount of development was reasonable and with careful landscaping and design would be accepted.