Hamilton.

Planning Department officials believe that land on Inglewood Lane in Paget should be left in its present undeveloped state.

But owners of the site are arguing that a house should be allowed to be built in the wooded area, to the south of the roundabout junction of Trimingham Road and South Road.

The site has been designated agricultural land and woodland reserve in the Bermuda Plan. "The wooded hillside and agricultural field form a natural green backdrop to this important junction which enhances the visual amenity of the area,'' noted the Plan.

"It is considered vital to retain this green backdrop and any incursion of development into this area resulting from a re-zoning would be a serious erosion of the character and amenity of the area.'' Objectors are the trustees of the Inglewood Trust and Mrs. Fenton Trimingham.

Their complaints were being heard at the Objections Tribunal in the Cabinet Office on Front Street.

Mr. Thomas Trimingham said: "I am one of the beneficiaries of this trust. I feel very strongly about it because myself and my siblings are the inheritors of this.'' The objectors are concerned that the remaining lots should be developed like others in the area.

Mr. Trimingham added: "Our original architects envisaged development of all the lots and put some restrictions on development.

"We hope to be allowed to have development rights which we believe we have had since the very beginning.'' Mrs. Trimingham said: "In essence we are trying to do the same thing as the planning department. We have the same guidelines for the whole of Bermuda.

"I do not feel the area deserves the term woodland reserve. The trees are not indigenous to Bermuda. They are not really worth it.'' Planning officer Mr. Peter Adwick stood by the views expressed in the Bermuda Plan.

"It is quite simple. The site is environmentally significant. We believe there should be no development at all,'' he said.

"It is one of the sites that the majority of Bermudians see on their way into and out of Hamilton every day. It is also an area commonly seen by tourists.

"It significantly enhances the scenery in that part of the Island. We feel very strongly that it should be retained.'' A decision will be made by the tribunal, headed by Mr. Jack Lightbourn. The tribunal, meanwhile, will be looking at another site in Paget where there have been complaints about the designation in the Bermuda Plan.

Planners agreed to change their original open space zoning of the land at the corner of Harbour Road and Chapel Road to allow the Butterfield Executor and Trustee Company to build a three bedroom house.

But local residents have hit out at the judgment and asked the Objections Tribunal to go back to its original decision.

Mr. Duncan McBeath, of Harbour Road, said: "I believe this is part of a continuous green belt throughout the Island.

"Riding along Harbour Road from east to west this is the only green belt left on the road.'' A neighbour, Mr. Peter Woolf, agreed, stating: "This is the only open space left on Harbour Road and Chapel Road. Chapel Road, in particular, is already an overused road.'' The two men said they were shocked that the Minister of the Environment had issued a notice that developments like this should be allowed to go ahead.