condominiums being built at Bostock Hill was rejected by Government.

And yesterday, group lawyer Juliana Jack blasted Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson for making a decision that "runs completely contrary'' to his previously espoused stance opposing unnecessary and uncontrolled development.

A dispute erupted last May when it was revealed that Bostock Mews Development (BMD) intended to build five three-bedroom units and a swimming pool on land between Bostock Hill East and Dudley Hill, half of which is zoned residential and the other half agricultural.

Neighbours objected to the proposed development because of fears of increased traffic, noise and general overcrowding.

Their appeal against planning permission was granted last August, but they were moved to appeal again after BMD made a revised application proposing the construction of just three condominiums and no pool.

This appeal was dismissed on February 18 on recommendation from Independent Planning Inspector Peter Cumming, who said the addition of three dwelling units was unlikely to make any difference in the amount of activity and noise in the area.

In a statement to The Royal Gazette , Ms Jack said she was not surprised by Mr. Hodgson's rejection of the appeal.

And she reinforced her clients' opinion that building three condominiums on a third of an acre plot is "bad planning''.

In his findings after upholding the first appeal, the Minister had said that a revised application for the maximum of three dwelling units must ensure that no part of the development encroaches upon the Agricultural Land Conservation Area.

Yesterday, Ms Jack said she thought Mr. Hodgson had "expressly invited'' BMD to reapply to build three condominiums.

"The Minister's decision runs completely contrary to the policy he espoused when he was appointed to the position last year, namely the policy against unnecessary and uncontrolled development,'' she said.

Ms Jack referred to a story in the Bermuda Sun, in which Mr. Hodgson was quoted as appealing to Bermudians to exercise "common sense'' and "not to buy into the mindset that bigger is better or more is best''.

Many of the recent pro-development planning decisions by the Minister showed he had forgotten his own policy,'' Ms Jack said.

"The neighbours are considering appealing this perverse decision to the Supreme Court,'' she added.