the same house has been stopped by planners.

And the woman behind the scheme in Sound View Road, Sandys finds the Development Applications Board's decision "unbelievable''.

The board turned down the change of use of the house, to a home for seven seniors and a preschool nursery, because it would increase noise and traffic in the area, and have a detrimental impact on the residential area.

But Ms Sylvia Ellis, the applicant, has pointed out that it is next to the Heydon Trust which is open space.

Ms Ellis, a teacher at St. George's Secondary School, says she has the support of her immediate neighbours for the scheme.

In fact she is already using the upper floor of the house as a home for senior citizens.

She said: "The mixing of a preschool playgroup and a senor citizens home will mean that one stimulates the other.

"Even now, the elderly people I have there respond to children being in the house. Older people are stimulated when they see a little life around them.'' Ms Ellis also believes that mixing with old folk will benefit the young children at the nursery.

She said: "I had been given permission off the health department to have a small pre-school class so we could deal with the children on a one-to-one basis.

"At the same time I wanted to give the children a safe and positive environment.

"The house is next to the Heydon Trust which is 55 acres of open space and close to the sea. It would give the children an opportunity to get use to a healthy environment.'' Ms Ellis said as a mother she believed open space is best for the children.

She raised her children in a mountain area of Virginia.

She said: "The children have easy access to the Heydon Trust which is better than many of the children on the Island who are raised in areas which are mainly concrete.

"This area benefits tourists but it does not benefit Bermudians who probably helped to create it. In this way it can be of benefit to local people.'' Ms Ellis said the traffic objection was unbelievable as senior citizens received visitors only once of twice a month, or on special occasions.

The Board also recommended that the Minister of the Environment serve an enforcement notice on Ms Ellis to cease using the home as an old folks' home.

Other decisions mace by the Development Applications Board included the refusal of an above ground swimming pool at Montessori Academy.

In an advice note the Board said is wished to advise the applicant: "It is normal policy to resist the siting and use of above-ground swimming pools.

"The Board is of the opinion that to approve such a pool for an educational establishment could potentially set a precendent whereby other similar development would be difficult to resist, which could prove detrimental to the visual amenity of the Island as a whole.''