It was the threat of "yet another'' massive, business-oriented development of one of Bermuda's last remaining areas of virgin land at Ship's Hill in Tucker's Town, which has breathed fiery new life into SOS -- the appropriate acronym for the Save Open Spaces group.

Now, members reveal that, so far, the group has been denied charity status by the Island's Charities Commission.

Says chairman Mr. Ian MacDonald Smith: "If we are refused registration as a charity, we cannot raise money locally and without this designation, we certainly cannot take advantage of foreign environmentalists and corporations who can donate money to our cause. We have appealed the decision and are still awaiting the outcome.'' Noting that one of the group's primary aims is to raise money to buy land which will then be turned over to creditable organisations, Mr. MacDonald Smith stresses that his group is not against development in principle.

"We are opposed to development on our very few remaining open spaces, and insensitive development, such as `That House' on Harbour Road, where the DAB effectively lost control through ministerial interference and over-ride.'' SOS is particularly concerned that the Ship's Hill project, temporarily delayed by developers, Bermuda Properties Ltd. (pending a survey of possible damage by the company's bulldozers to the underlying cave system), will allow a residential development, not for Bermudians, but for the foreign market.

"BPL is 95 percent foreign-owned. Out of a board of 13 directors, eight are Bermudians. As usual, they are there for window-dressing,'' says Mr. MacDonald Smith.

The group, which is currently circulating a petition against the Ship's Hill project, further points out that overseas environmentalists have expressed concern over an endangered species of shrimp, found in the caves and unique to Bermuda.

They also feel a sense of despair over developments at Pokiok Farm, Abbott's Cliff, the proposed Cemetery Hill area in St. George's, and what they describe as the desecration of another of the last remaining, significant unspoilt properties -- the Southlands estate, on the South Shore. "That property is now under construction,'' says Mr. MacDonald Smith. "The principals involved in that scheme certainly don't need any more money, which makes it seem to us to be a case of utter greed.'' Although, understandably the core of the new SOS group comprises young people who feel that their future, and that of their children is being seriously compromised, they would welcome the support of all ages. "We need the public to show its support for what we are doing. We need new members.'' SOS also feels there is an urgent need for conservation orders on historic or architecturally important buildings, such as the ancient house on Court Street, pulled down a few weeks ago to make way for a new office block, the group adds that it is also actively involved in seeking preservation orders on trees.

"If Government were in any way serious over these cases of stealing cedar trees, for instance, they would impose very stiff penalties. That would deter thieves who take five minutes to chop down a tree that's been growing for 100 years. One of our plans to is to start a nursery and tree-planting programme.

But for this, we need volunteers, and we need money.'' Charging that Government seems indifferent to preservation, or at best, paying little more than lip service to an issue that is now being actively addressed by most other countries -- especially those involved in tourism -- Mr.

MacDonald Smith points out that in 1991, a group of private individuals who were worried by the rapid subdivision and destruction of Bermuda's open spaces, commissioned Mr. Lou Harris of the famed Harris Polls to conduct an Island-wide poll on the importance of Bermuda's environment.

"The result of that poll showed that 90 percent of the population said they were `very concerned' and wanted to see our environment preserved. That finding has been totally ignored by the politicians! This Island is crying out for environmental protection and the Government is failing to provide it.'' According to Mr. MacDonald Smith, Government has spent $20 million in the last three years on the purchase of land, "but with an overall budget of $1.2 billion for that period, the amount spent is relatively insignificant.

"We believe that Bermuda's physical environment is now, in essence, a system of parks and beaches -- and a whole bunch of houses in every direction that you look. The more Government owns, the more people will benefit, and if parks are properly maintained and nurtured, more people will come here. There doesn't seem to be an overall plan on the environment as it relates to tourism, yet most people see this as an urgent need.'' Co-member and Body Shop manager, Mrs. Diana Antonition agrees. "We are in danger of creating a concrete jungle, urban ghettos which breed violence, unrest, stress and under-achievement. The original SOS had seminars on things like noise pollution, which has now reached breaking point here -- and destroys our image as a tourist destination. But quite apart from tourism, opens spaces are very therapeutic and calming to the whole of our society.'' Mrs. Antonition became involved in SOS when The Body Shop owner and world-famous environmentalist Anita Roddick visited Bermuda this summer. "She gave an environmental cocktail party and the controversy was already raging over the Castle Harbour Resort Master Plan. She felt it would be a good community issue for us to get involved in.'' Originally formed in 1981, SOS was revived in August when Bermuda Properties Ltd. announced its plans to build 46 luxury condominiums at Ship's Hill in Tucker's Town as part of the Marriott's Castle Harbour development project.

Warning that Bermuda was facing an "ecological disaster'', since the area involves a unique and fragile cave ecosystem, the group, led by well-known photographers Messrs. MacDonald Smith and Antoine Hunt, Mrs. Antonition and artist/businessman Mr. Niall Woolf, sprung into action.

"Ship's Hill set us off, because that struck a chord in all of us who care about the future of Bermuda,'' says Mr. MacDonald Smith.

Charging that "philosphical and political corruption'' has rendered the DAB virtually redundant, Mr. MacDonald Smith says that even areas which have been zoned as `preserved' are changed on a whim -- "And, often changed by Government itself, through the use of `special' development orders.'' The zoning tribunal itself is seriously flawed, he says. "It's made up of business people whom we would not consider to be environmentalists who understand the ramifications of what they are doing, or simply don't care,'' he said.

"There seems to be little consultation with the conservation officer who, most of the time, is completely over-ridden. He understands better than anyone, the need for preservation. Apart from one member, who resigned in frustration, the DAB is not made up of people who are sensitive to, or knowledgeable about environmental issues. There is no architect on the Board, and we need an architectural historian there who understands the implications of certain applications -- how something will look on location, not on paper!'' Citing Ship's Hill as typical of Government's increasing manipulation of existing zoning laws, Mr. MacDonald Smith points out that the proposed project was approved in July through a special development order by then Environment Minister Gerald Simons.

"They did not go through the correct channels to get approval for this huge project. I find it interesting that this all happened at a time when the whole of Bermuda was consumed by the independence referendum and everyone's attention was diverted. We also thought it very odd indeed that Gerald Simons was the President of the National Trust when Bermuda's Delicate Balance was published. He even wrote the Foreword -- and yet he signed a special development order which allows very, very sensitive land to be completely ruined by development. Just what is going on here?'' The Ship's Hill petition may be signed at the following locations during regular working hours and late-night Friday shopping in Hamilton:- The Body Shop, Rock Island Coffee at PW's Waterfront, Cathy's Cafe on Front Street, Makin' Waves and Sail On, both also on Front Street, The Arts Centre at Dockyard and the Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery at City Hall.

"We are making a big push on this petition, and hope that everyone will sign it,'' says Mrs. Antonition. "We would also urge anyone who would like to help preserve what is left of Bermuda's open spaces, to join our group.'' For further information on SOS, telephone 292-3295 or 292-5329.