The National Trust have turned the spotlight on a decision by Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson to allow floodlights at the proposed Vesey Street equestrian centre.

Last night the Trust said it was "discouraged'' by the Minister's latest move and expressed concern at his disregard of a ruling by an independent inspector.

"If the Minister consistently uses his discretion on appeal in a manner which contradicts or simply ignores the recommendation of the independent inspector, the public will lose all confidence in the appeal process itself,'' said Edith Martin, chairman of the Trust's environmental committee.

Mr. Hodgson's decision came last Tuesday despite the ruling of an independent inspector that floodlights in the existing site exceeded the current needs of the development and would "almost inevitably lead to an increase in the intensity of activity''.

Trust `discouraged' by decision on floodlights The independent inspector ruled that flood lighting was "premature'' and more in keeping with a larger development.

Dismissing the case, he said: "I am aware that a more substantial application is in the offing and this really needs to be considered first so that policy options can be explored and tested, and environmental trade-offs properly evaluated.'' But a letter from Environment permanent secretary Brain Rowlinson explained the Minister's decision.

Initial objections which treated the area as "green space'' and not "recreation conservation area'' according to the letter greatly affected Mr.

Hodgson's ruling.

"The Minister is not convinced that an intensification of use is a strong ground for refusal in this case. Furthermore, he finds the Department's misreading of the zoning to be a telling consideration in favour of the appellant,'' the letter read.

"It is commonplace throughout Bermuda for recreational sites to have the benefit of lighting. Whether the addition of lighting involves an unacceptable intensification in the use of the land is a valid planning consideration.

"Taking into consideration the setting of the site and the absence of residential neighbours, the Minister finds the potential level of intensification to be acceptable.'' But The Trust last night charged that Mr. Hodgson completely missed the environmental concern their objection was based on.

"He relied upon the setting of the site and lack of residential neighbours' as reasons in favour of the erection of the floodlights.

"That the Minister sees these as reasons to allow increased use and development shows an insensitivity to the fact that we have so few places left in Bermuda that remain in a natural state.'' Expressing concern with the frequency with which the Minister has been overturning DAB decisions the Trust noted: "It is the third time recently that the Trust has been the party to an appeal where the Minister has decided to favour the narrow interests of private individuals over environmental considerations that affect everyone.

"The whole point of having an independent inspector consider planning appeals is to ensure a fair and impartial result. The Minister should be very hesitant to decide contrary to the recommendation of the inspector and if he does feel compelled to do so, it should always be abundantly clear that his decision is in the wider public interest.

"That is plainly not the case here,'' the Trust claimed.