Those bemused by Bermuda's planning regulations can today breathe a sigh of relief ¿ the information they need is right at their fingertips.

Minister of the Environment Neletha Butterfield and the Department of Planning have launched a website enabling people to download an application; discover the different development zones on the Island; and track an application's progress.

The Department's new website: www.planning.gov.bm includes a digital zoning map as well as a feature to search the status of current applications. Residents can download planning forms, legislation, guidance notes and policy documents, and then view the Minutes of the Development Applications Board.

Minister Ms Butterfield said the website would allow the community "unprecedented access to the Department of Planning's activities".

"Bermuda has one of the highest rates of IT usage in the world and so as a country we are very in tune with technology. We hope people make full use of this exciting tool," she said.

Trevor Leach, Director of Planning, said: "The Planning Department is pleased to be improving access for the public.

"Being able to trace the progress of planning applications online, and see first-hand how applications have been determined will not only be useful for the public, but we hope it will improve the understanding of our work in the community.

"It will also make the planning process easier for people, and offer information about zoning across Bermuda which has never been available online before."