initiative to protect the Island's heritage has been spelled out.

Andrew Trimingham, who, as chairman of the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee, steered the massive project forward to recognise Bermuda's remarkable, unique and old structures, talked about what it meant for owners.

He said being included on the list may provoke a worried reaction but the reality could be extremely beneficial to those who owned one of the 800 buildings selected as part of the list.

The work has taken around six years to complete and ensures special protection for those structures with regard to future changes and as part of a record of the Island's physical heritage.

It was officially launched by Environment Minister Harry Soares on June 11.

Speaking to Hamilton Rotary Club, Mr. Trimingham said people's first thought was certain to be that Government interference had reduced their options to do what they wanted with their property, thus diminishing its value.

But, he said, anyone fortunate to own a "grade one'' listed building or a selected home on a large plot would be sitting on a goldmine.

"Their freedom to alter their buildings will have been somewhat curtailed, but if experience everywhere else is anything to go by, the value of their building will certainly increase,'' he said.

He said good examples of authentic architecture were much sought after and offered the following advice to those who wanted to make large alterations to their "grade one'' homes.

"If you really can't live without a new gym, covered swimming pool or billiard room added to your grade one house, the thing to do is sell it, cash in on its increased value and build a house that has the extravagances you need with the windall profits.'' Across the Island, those people whose homes have been selected will be receiving a package which explains what being on the list means to them and options for them to offer feedback on the scheme.

Buildings are divided into classes, which gives an indication of their relative importance and extent of alterations that would be appropriate.

For those considering changes, advice comes free from the planning department and all the normal costs of a planning application are also waived. And certain aspects of the building code can be relaxed.

And for residents who fear they will find their plans rejected, Mr. Trimingham added that HBAC had already dealt with 53 applications, before the new initiative was announced, and 49 of those were agreed.

Apart from the HBAC's comments, any applications proceed through the planning process in the normal way.

During the survey, he added, several thousand structures were surveyed by the hard-working committee -- who met with proud owners of interesting old buildings.

"As we progressed it became apparent that the huge majority of Bermudians were immensely proud of them,'' he said. "Instead of objections and apathy, we were almost always welcomed by owners who often regaled us with the history and traditions handed down with their houses.'' But he added that many people had "exaggerated notions'' of how old their houses were, adding that there were fewer than ten known 17th Century buildings in Bermuda.

But he said the scheme was a step in the right direction for protecting the Island's built heritage and would help the builders of the future provide a pleasant and congenial place to live.

REAL ESTATE RE