Plans to expand Bermuda's National Equestrian Centre have been plunged into fresh controversy after it was discovered that the architectural firm working on the development has close links with the Planning Minister.

The Royal Gazette can reveal that Bermuda and Caribbean Engineering Consultants Ltd. President David Summers is also chairman of the Warwick East branch of the UBP -- the constituency represented by Planning Minister Irving Pearman.

And The Royal Gazette has also heard unconfirmed reports that Mr. Summers acted as campaign manager for the Minister at the last election.

In an unprecedented step last week, Mr. Pearman lifted zoning restrictions on the proposed site on zoned Woodland Reserve so that a development application could go ahead.

Last night a furious Mr. Pearman refused to deny that Mr. Summers had acted as his campaign manager.

"What has that got to do with allowing a development application to go through,'' he said.

"The fact is the development order has to go through two processes -- the Cabinet and the Caucus.'' Mr. Summers also declined to comment on his association with the Minister.

But a source at the party's central office on Chancery Lane confirmed that he is the chairman for the Warwick East branch of the party.

Mr. Summers told The Royal Gazette : "I have no comment to make.

"It is not for me to advise Mr. Pearman but he was given very competent advice when he made the decision.'' Mr. Summers also launched a blistering attack on Royal Gazette editor and former National Trust president David White for an editorial in the paper on Tuesday which criticised the lifting decision.

"I must say that when the immediate past president chooses to make a case in support of the Bermuda National Trust in an editorial in a daily paper it is a sad thing,'' Mr. Summers said.

"What he (David White) is effectively saying is that anyone who has a different opinion from his should be summarily dispatched.'' But National Trust President Hugh Davidson said: "I am just flabbergasted.

"I am just very sorry and very disappointed with the way this whole thing has been dealt with.

"We don't want to get involved in any political arguments, we want to win this on the technical arguments alone.

"But at the same time, bearing in mind what has gone on before, I don't have any pre-conceived confidence that we will win our case, even though we have a very strong argument.

"While we would not for one moment impugn the motives or behaviour of either gentleman there will be a perception of bias.

"Our concern stems from the fact that groups like ourselves have not been brought into the loop while the developers have.''