Preservationists last night won a reprieve in the battle to save Catchment Hill when Government promised an immediate review of the property's zonings.

The commitment allowed Government to sidestep defeat of the 1992 Bermuda Plan which contains development zonings for the Tucker's Town property.

Acting Environment Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira turned the day when he announced that "in light of concerns expressed over the Catchment Hill property... Government undertakes to immediately review the zoning of this property.'' The Plan, which imposes development zonings on all property, passed 20-16 with the Progressive Labour Party voting against it.

Earlier, Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade had urged Parliament to adjourn so the Minister could rewrite the zonings for Catchment Hill. But Government Ministers seized on his remarks as disregard for law and due process. "I have never heard such an irresponsible speech by a learned member of this House,'' Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness charged.

Mr. Wade said the issue was fired by an injustice in the 1920s when scores of black Bermudians were displaced in Tucker's Town by white foreigners and hotel development.

PLP MP Dr. Ewart Brown said his party could not trust Government to review Catchment Hill because it had not demonstrated even-handedness in Planning matters.

He recalled lack of action against billionaire Mr. Ross Perot when he destroyed a reef near his Tucker's Town to make room for a boat.

That "sent a message that people in Tucker's Town are above the law,'' he said. "We take the position that the trust factor is not there.'' Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge appeared to be speaking for the House when he said: "I think we all agree Catchment Hill should be preserved as open space. I don't think we should have to tell our children what Bermuda looked like from a photograph.'' Catchment Hill, he said, was not originally intended to be used for "speculation and gain.'' Although earlier speakers had suggested Government consider compensation for development rights, Mr. Woolridge indicated a possibility for a development "trade off'' elsewhere with Bermuda Properties Ltd., the owners of Catchment Hill.

"I'm not suggesting Government go into its pocket,'' he said.

Dr. Terceira warned MPs that voting against the Plan would leave Bermuda without a development plan. And the 1,188 property owners whose zoning objections were resolved in tribunal hearings would be left "in a nebulous state.'' Dr. Terceira later said a "mechanism'' was in place to conduct the Catchment Hill review. It required the formation of a tribunal, two months of advertising for objections and hearings for "all the people involved'' including objectors.

A full report on the debate will be carried in Monday's newspaper.