underway, says the Environment Minister.

"My goal, if you like, is to create a more user-friendly department, and a more user-friendly legislative framework,'' the Hon. Gerald Simons said of the Planning Department.

"I would like to see the whole time frame (for development applications) shortened, while at the same time preserving the protection of our land.'' Many applications to the Development Applications Board were processed in a month or two, but "some of the more complicated ones take a year or more,'' Mr. Simons told The Royal Gazette .

"When there are delays there are economic costs involved, and also frustration.'' Mr. Simons met recently with representatives of lawyers, surveyors, and registered and non-registered architects. Engineers were also invited, but a representative did not attend.

These professionals dealt most often with the DAB, he said.

The meeting was called to discuss new rules proposed for planning applications. "I was interested in their perceptions of the rules, and of the department,'' he said. "A very useful discussion took place.'' Most of the proposed rules changes were technical and procedural. For instance, it was now up to the DAB to decide what applications had to be advertised, and it was up to the applicant to pay for the ads. Some felt Government should be paying the cost.

But broader concerns were also expressed.

"No one at the meeting questioned the need for good planning laws and the need to control development.'' They asked: "How can we make sure applications pass through the department in a timely fashion?'' Registered architects, in particular, "wish to look at the overall legislative framework in which the department operates,'' Mr. Simons said.

That would mean a review of the Development and Planning Act 1974, "and other pieces of legislation which affect the control of development in Bermuda.'' Representatives of the professional groups would also have a chance to meet with planning staff and "thrash out'' concerns about the way the department was run.

He expected another meeting within about two weeks.

It was too early to say, but "major changes in law'' could result from the review, he said.