Mr. John Jefferis, managing director of the Elbow Beach Development Company, said the new restaurant was part of the hotel's ongoing plan to improve the 300-room hotel.

"This is a beautification and extension project and it will be an informal facility, which is what visitors seem to want more of these days., "The restaurant is completely outside on a deck on the beach,'' added Mr. Jefferis.

"A hotel market research survey showed that there was a demand for first rate outdoor facilities that are close to the water.'' The Development Applications Board last week put off considering the application until members could visit the site.

The Board's minutes indicate the project involves excavating beneath the beach terrace to create a commercial kitchen, converting four changing cubicles to a kitchen area, and storage and utility rooms.

The hotel is also building a new roof for the bar and extending the wooden deck on the beach with a post and rope railing to create the new restaurant seating area.

The Board stated that the area beyond the terrace wall, south towards the water, is zoned green space and open space. But it indicated it may approve the project because it fulfils Planning requirements to "provide facilities necessary to further the enjoyment or recreational use of the land.'' It said it will also require the "siting, scale and massing of the development is compatible with and sensitive to the physical and environmental characteristics of the land and the design will minimise its impact as viewed from the water.''