in January.

The Development Applications Board this week approved plans by Abbott Holdings for the project at 65 Court Street which will provide space for professional offices, a restaurant, local services and storage.

The development is listed under the name of Arthur Hodgson -- the new full-time Magistrate in Juvenile Court -- but when contacted he said that while he was familiar with the project, he could not comment on it.

Charles Daniels, a spokesman for the project's architects -- Onions Bouchard and McCulloch -- told The Royal Gazette yesterday that they had not spoken to Mr. Hodgson recently but were aiming at starting the project this January.

It was possible that it could start earlier but that was unlikely, he said, adding that construction would probably take about 18 to 24 months and would carry a price tag in the region of $4 million dollars.

Progressive Labour Party MP and lawyer Lois Browne-Evans -- a tenant in the present building -- said she would not be moving her offices in any hurry but when the time came she would move into her own building on Dundonald Street.

Prior to building beginning at the site, the board added, an application for a building permit must be made and "in the interest of visual amenity, all glazing shall be clear and/or non-reflecting''.

Mr. Daniels added that the Corporation of Hamilton had recommended approval for the building as long as the restaurant did not apply for a liquor license which the company agreed to.

Meanwhile, plans to convert Booth Memorial Hall on Court Street into a multi-purpose hall were put on hold after the board refused an application listed under the name of local businessman Ted Powell who owns the building.

But when contacted yesterday, a spokeswoman for Mr. Powell said the application had been put in by a prospective tenant about two years ago with Mr. Powell's backing.

She added that there were no plans presently in the works for the building.

The board said it declined to approve the application because insufficient information was supplied to enable a proper assessment.

And Richard Allen AME Church in St. George's, which has applied for permission to replace its existing church facilities, was given extra time to present their new plans to the board.

It is understood the new church will be traditionally designed, although larger than the current one.

The DAB gave the church until October 9 to submit the new plans.

In other news from the board this week, an application by property management company SHA Holdings to extend a North Street warehouse and add a new access way and parking lot was approved in principle.

However, the board only approved details in relation to the site and reserved final approval on all the details relating to design and external appearance of the building, landscaping and parking.

The board added that it was concerned over the safety of access onto Till's Hill and asked that the final application for approval include illustrations and confirmation that site is safe for both access and traffic.

SHA Holdings is part of the D&J Group and is managed by directors Danny Fagundo and John Pereira.

Mr. Fagundo -- who is recovering from a heart attack -- said yesterday that the work would involve some excavation which would create more yard space.