Tourism's plans to have a stage at Horseshoe Bay were dealt another blow yesterday when the Development Applications Board rejected the proposal.

The Ministry of the Environment had already requested the structure be removed after it broke the law by contravening both the Development Planning Act and the Parks Act.

The structure was put up without planning permission last week and drew protests as it took a prominent spot on Bermuda's trademark beach.

A stop order was then put on the work, although Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Wayne Carey said that was done before the public outcry.

He said yesterday the application by the Tourism Ministry had been for a temporary stage to be used on a one-day permit on Wednesdays between approximately 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

But park rangers pointed out that it was a semi-permanent structure and would last beyond the maximum time of 28 days.

Yesterday the DAB rejected the plan, although Mr. Carey said Tourism could always re-apply with a more temporary structure after full public consultation or put in a full planning application for a more permanent structure.

The structure was removed on Tuesday. The Tourism Ministry had wanted to have live music between May and October but it drew fire from the National Trust which feared that commercialisation of public parks and beaches could threaten their long-term environmental viability.

Mr. Carey said the DAB had also rejected plans for a similar stage, of around 20 by 30 feet, at Flatts.

He said: "The board resolved it was not in keeping with the character of the area and did not want to set a precedent.

"In fact the owner of the land in question had previously applied and the board had refused that application."