The National Trust is opposing a hotel?s bid to get special permission to build vacation homes on its internationally-ranked golf course.

The Fairmont Southampton has asked the Ministry of Environment for a Special Development Order (SDO) for its plan to build 91 golf villas and 54 other units on its par-three course, reducing the number of holes from 18 to ten.

Under the normal planning process, the proposals would have to be rejected by the Development Applications Board because the land is designated as an open space zone in the Bermuda Development Plan.

An SDO would allow permission to be granted by rezoning the land ? as happened recently with the former Loughlands hotel site.

Twenty five objections to the Fairmont Southampton scheme ? including two petitions containing hundreds of signatures ? have been lodged.

They include a letter from the National Trust questioning whether an SDO would be appropriate in this case.

Environmental Conservation Officer Dorcus Roberts says in her letter that such orders are usually only given in other jurisdictions for major developments of national interest, such as airport runways and power stations, and only then as a last resort and after a public inquiry.

She told that the development would see the loss of about 111,000 square feet of open space.

She said: ?It is our opinion that the incalculable harm done to Bermuda by the loss of this precious open space cannot be justified, regardless of any purported benefit to the hotel?s tourism product.

?If an SDO is found to be applicable in this instance we believe it should only occur after a period of public inquiry, allowing for national input into a decision that will profoundly impact the Island as a whole.?

David Summers, president of Bermuda-Caribbean Engineering Consultants, agents for the Fairmont Southampton, said public consultation on the plan ? which includes a beach club, a short game golf course and academy and a boundary adjustment ? had already taken place.

?That?s why we made the application to the Department of Planning which then advertised it and asked for objections.?

He added: ?One of the compelling factors here is that the 1992 Bermuda Development Plan was 14 years ago. Bermuda really does need a new development plan and this is why more and more SDOs are being sought.?

He said the current golf course was not an attraction for people visiting Bermuda. ?Golfers who come to stay at the hotel play at other courses,? he said.

?From the hotel?s point of view it?s a great expense to maintain a golf course if it?s solely for the discretionary use of local members if and when they wish to play a round.?

The Fairmont has until April 24 to respond to the objections, after which the Ministry will make a decision on the granting of the SDO.