being produced for several years.

The 1998 report was released this week and Acting Director of Planning, Peter Adwick explained the decision to do so.

"The department has decided to introduce the practice of preparing an annual report after a gap of many years,'' he said, "as a means of providing more information about the work of the department.

"The report describes how the Department operates, summarises the varied work it has undertaken during the year, and identifies the people, boards and committees involved in these activities.'' It notes the conversion of tourist accommodations into residential units as the most noticeable development trend of the year (1998).

"The most notable schemes to have been granted final planning permission or which have already been converted from tourism to residential use include the following: the Ship's Hill development comprising 26 new dwellings; the Pink Beach Club comprising 11 dwelling units; Mount Royal comprising 11 dwelling units; Mermaid Beach Club comprising 11 dwelling units; and Sea Cliffs (formerly Longtail Cliffs) comprising of 13 dwelling units'' The report also points to the department's reviewing the redevelopment of the Palm Reef Hotel, and two separate developments of Elbow Beach Hotel. It also noted that the "growing trend'' would be "reviewed further.''