a proposed expansion -- and found it guilty.

The Bermuda National Trust accused the Warwick club of "flagrant abuses of the planning'' process.

And it called on the Planning Department to take immediate action.

But PHC's agents, Erwin Adderley Associates, yesterday strongly defended moves to turn the club into a family recreation centre.

They said the scheme was in the best interests of nearby residents and could boost property values.

PHC has applied to the Development Applications Board for permission to develop a vacant lot at Stadium Lane, Warwick, zoned green and open space.

The plan, expected to cost millions of dollars, includes: A 7,141 square foot multi-purpose room for such activities as gym and basketball, with changing rooms and seating for 2,000 people; A 2,174 square foot fitness centre, with video games for children; Space for administration offices, meeting rooms and a library on the level above the fitness centre; and A landscaped park to meet the "outdoor, recreational'' needs of the younger club members and nearby residents.

Nearby Warwick residents, and the Planning Department's officers, have protested saying there was no need to expand the site.

The Bermuda National Trust has waded into the row as well, stressing the application did not comply with the Green Space and Open Space zoning.

In a letter to Director of Planning Brian Rowlinson, the Trust said: "Open Space zoning dictates that the overriding planning considerations are to create continuous green belts throughout the Island, retain open spaces and protect its integrity and quality.

"This application clearly disregards this directive as it would place a massive, architecturally non-Bermudian building directly in one of the Island's existing green belts.'' The Trust said the applicant had also flouted planning regulations by indiscriminately letting loads of rubble be dumped on the land before DAB approval.

"The Trust objects strenuously to these flagrant abuses of the planning process and urges the Planning Department to take immediate action.'' The letter stated: "There existed many unique wetland and open space characteristics worthy of preservation and rehabilitation prior to the dumping of contaminated fill at this site.

"Much of the rubble fill dumped is contaminated with horticultural and garbage waste.

"This dumping has encroached dramatically on the development setbacks from the National Trust's land to the north and has encroached over the property boundary in areas.'' In a letter to the Planning Department, Mr. Erwin Adderley, owner of Erwin Adderley Associates, defended the proposal.

"The PHC's primary objective is, while recognising its traditional role and function is a man's recreation and social club, to transform itself into an organisation that embraces the whole family.'' Mr. Adderley agreed the new activities proposed by the club could be carried out in existing buildings.

But he said: "What cannot be accommodated on this site is the separation of those social and recreational activities where alcohol is traditionally consumed from those family-oriented recreational activities which, with rare exception, such as wedding functions, will be alcohol-free.

"It is the club's strong belief that this separation must occur and must be physical as well as visual if it or any other recreational club is to be successful in transforming itself from a man's social and recreational club to a family-oriented facility.'' Yesterday, Mr. Adderley told The Royal Gazette : "We are in the process of responding to the objections raised to the Planning Department.'' He added: "We have until August 14 to respond, but we have asked for additional time.'' Mr. Adderley said the club believed its proposal would be compatible with nearby homes.

It would provide facilities which residents would be able to use.

Mr. Adderley said the flurry of protests had not come as a surprise.

"We knew we had a fight on our hands from day one.'' Erwin Adderley ENVIRONMENT ENV