The Bank of Bermuda is refusing to comment on its plans for the former Trimingham?s building on Front Street.

In June, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield agreed with the recommendations of an independent Planning inspector to dismiss an appeal by the Bank of Bermuda to build a seven-storey bank at the prime site.

After the Minister?s decision, Permanent Secretary of the Environment Wayne Carey said Ms Butterfield had upheld the Development Applications Board?s (DAB) March 22 decision to turn down the application, saying the proposed development was not appropriate for the site and would not enhance the surrounding area.

?The Minister dismissed the appeal because she agreed with the conclusions of the DAB and the independent Planning Inspector in that the development proposal was of a mass, scale and height and had setbacks on upper level storeys that rendered the proposal unacceptable under the City of Hamilton Plan,? Mr. Carey said.

The DAB?s decision also stated that the Bank?s plan did not enhance the established historic, architectural or cultural character of the historic area of Front Street.

Asked if the Bank of Bermuda could now reapply for a Special Development Order to build a seven-storey bank at that site, Mr. Carey said that was up to the Bank.

A Bank of Bermuda spokeswoman said on Monday that at this time the Bank had nothing further to add to its press statement of June 22 in which Bank chief executive Philip Butterfield said although the Bank was disappointed with the outcome, it remained committed to erecting a quality building on its Front Street property.