the old Naval Air Station, it was announced last night.

Recently the Bermuda Land Development Company, which took over the running of the bases, announced it would be looking to draw up a new plan for the St.

David's land.

Last night it said seven teams, made up of local and overseas companies, had put in bids for the contract to develop the plan.

A BLDC spokesman said: "The Company will assess each proposal on the basis of the team, the quality of the proposal and cost, particularly in terms of value for money.

"The master development plan will set down a strategy, or road map, for the development of the former NAS. It will help the Company target general or specific interests likely to be attracted to the site.'' Meanwhile the BLDC has awarded a contract to prepare part of the base for development to JW Gray and Co. of Paget.

The project team also includes Correia Construction Company Ltd., of Devonshire, which will be involved in demolition work, and AST Environmental Inc., of Ohio, which will be involved in removing storage tanks.

Work will be centred on the Marginal Wharf industrial area and will include the demolition of three unsafe buildings, removal of asbestos, soil remediation and the dismantling of the red and white fuel storage tanks by St.

David's Road.