Hamilton Parish will be smelling a lot sweeter to developer Ralph Terceira today with news that the Development Applications Board has approved his plans on converting the former perfume factory into homes.

The DAB has only granted permission for the change of use from commercial to residential and is still looking at the actual building plans for the site.

The Board did advise the developer however that it “would only be minded to consider minor additions to the existing building”.

Last March Colin Curtis, whose family had owned and run the Bermuda Perfumery and Gardens since 1928, announced that the business and property were up for sale. Mr. Curtis revealed at that time that Mr. Terciera, who is a major shareholder in Grotto Bay Hotel, was interested in the site. Mr. Terceira has been tight lipped on his plans for the Bailey's Bay property but said his initial interest was because of the close proximity to Grotto Bay.

Last November the husband and wife team of Kirby Brackstone and Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone bought the perfumery business. Earlier this week they announced that the business would be housed in Stewart Hall in St. George's.

Post office to open

Residents of postal codes MA 02 and MA 03 in the Mangrove Bay, Sandys area should note that the Mangrove Bay Post Office will be open for mail collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, February 12.

The half-day opening is to encourage area residents whose postal codes are MA 02 and MA 03 to collect mail that has backlogged following the illness of mail delivery staff.

Postmaster General, George Outerbridge yesterday issued an apology to area residents for the disruption of regular delivery service and encouraged residents, in particular, those who have received only minimal mail delivery in the past several weeks, to collect their mail on Saturday morning.