The Progressive Labour Party did meet with Save Open Spaces but not the Bermuda National Trust as reported in yesterday's paper.

The Progressive Labour Party supports Bermuda Properties Limited's plans to develop an 11.6 acre site on Ship's Hill because it will add a projected $12 million to Bermuda's economy with minimal damage to the environment.

Shadow Environment Minister Leon (Jimmy) Williams said if the proposed plans are accepted, it could also lead to 50 new full-time jobs at the Marriott Castle Harbour.

Mr. Williams said the PLP had consulted with environmental groups including Save Open Spaces and the Bermuda National Trust as well as Marriott Castle Harbour and BPL before it reached its decision.

"We have reviewed our position very carefully as leaders in the community,'' he said. "We have looked at the potential environmental impact but we also must look at the future of our Country.'' Mr. Williams said that some Caribbean islands like the Bahamas were building new hotels and Bermuda needed to encourage willing foreign investors to put money into existing large properties.

"We have not had a new hotel here and this is having a drastic effect on tourism in Bermuda,'' he added. "We need to make some changes.

"The PLP endorses these plans yet we are very conscious of our environment -- that is why we spent the entire summer looking at areas such as Nonsuch and Castle Islands.'' Last week BPL showed off its designs of the proposed changes to the Ship's Hill site.

They plan to develop the Castle Harbour Resort including new a golf centre and club house and a health club and spa.

Both the Bermuda National Trust and Save Open Spaces are concerned about the effect the development will have on the cave systems, woodland and native species in the area.

They believe waste could seep into the system and destroy the habitat of animals and plants unique to Bermuda.

SOS brought in consultants who did a survey of the area above and below ground and they strongly recommended that the planned work at Ship's Hill should not go ahead.

But Mr. Williams said that the PLP has met with the chairman of SOS and the Bermuda National Trust and understood their concerns.

"I am very happy we have groups like SOS,'' he continued. "We have received and gone over their information and they have made some good points.

"But there are other areas of Bermuda's future that we have to look into. It hurts at times when we have to make certain decisions but we also have to look at what is in the best interest of Bermuda.'' Mr. Williams said that the plans will improve the Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort which will assist the Island's tourist industry.

PLP backs Ship's Hill development "Some of our properties need to be upgraded because tourism is important to Bermuda and the lifestyle that we have come to enjoy,'' he added.

Moreover, Mr. Williams said that the PLP has studied the Environmental Impact Statement which BPL was required the carry out before the final plans were submitted.

And he said they were satisfied nothing untoward would occur if the proposed development went ahead.

On the economic side, Mr. Williams said the plans would further enhance Marriott as a resort and lead to the hiring of more Bermudians as workers.

"BPL estimates that $60 million will go into the new property development and Marriott will invest an additional $15-$20 million in capital improvements over the next 10 years.

"Projected income will add $12 million to Bermuda's economy which will have an effect on employment and resort activity creating approximately 50 new full time jobs.'' Mr. Williams said the PLP agreed that the preservation of Bermuda's woodlands, plants and birds was important.

"We recognise that once a natural woodland has been cut down it never grows back because aggressive foreign species take over and Bermuda's native species disappear.'' But Mr. Williams said that BPL has assured the PLP that there will be no risk to the caves in the area.

"We have gone to Marriott, we have looked at the detailed environmental impact study and we believe that the sewage system that they will use will not damage the caves there.''