The buildings that make up the Newstead hotel may have a quintessential Bermudian character, but after undergoing many changes over the years they are not considered historical.

Residents of Harbour Road and Salt Kettle have raised concerns over the partial demolition and redevelopment of the hotel that many have said should be kept ?in tune? with the architecture in the neighbourhood.

Developer Kevin Petty, who owns Belmont Hills, is hoping to receive planning approval on the Newstead construction changing the existing building from 41 to 104 rooms. But homeowners surrounding the property have objected to the proposed plans.

The Bermuda National Trust is not objecting to any construction done at the hotel after reviewing the application, said Steve Conway, executive director of the Trust.

He added: ?We do not consider that the buildings at Newstead to have any special architectural or historic significance. Furthermore we understand that the buildings do not have any legislated protection as listed buildings under the Development and Planning Act 1974. The buildings have also been subject to considerable changes both internally and externally throughout its use as a hotel. We have also looked at the environmental and development issues of the application and we do not have any grounds to object to the proposal.?

But one Salt Kettle resident, who had hoped the property would have some historical protection, has only added that as one of the many concerns on her list.

?We want the buildings to be eco-friendly and more in tune with the neighbourhood and with the architecture of the neighbourhood,? said Callee Frith, whose family home has a direct view of Newstead.

The family?s other concern include noise, construction and living pollution and the effect construction will have on the surrounding environment.

?The caves under Newstead are a major concern and if we keep digging so much into the environment it?s going to fall in. We also have to take into account the wildlife along the shore.

?We have longtails nesting under our house. The wildlife needs to be taken care of.

?It?s not that we?re opposed to the company putting something there, it?s that we want it to be eco-friendly. Harbour Road is already so congested and it?s amazing to me that they would go ahead and build there with all the room at Belmont,? she added.

Hazel Lowe, who owns Salt Kettle House, will not be directly affected by the sight of a new building but she added that she has sent many guests to dine at the old hotel.

?I can?t bear to see big buildings going there. I feel saddened that such a glorious property of vistas and grounds are going to be changed. There are some changes that need to be made but residents don?t need a big building going up,? she said.

Other concerns raised by residents closer to the building site is the sewage system and the smell that may be associated with it.

Diane McBeath and her husband Duncan are upset that the sewage plant for the proposed buildings will be near their home.

?It will be miserable to live with the sewage facility so close, we?re most concerned about the smell,? she said.

?Even though we can?t directly see the buildings I?m just as upset because I?ve had so many happy memories there. I can?t believe that I?m not going to see it the way it was,? she added.

Newstead?s most immediate neighbour to the east is also worried about the smell a sewage plant for the larger building will bring to the area.

?My life would be made very uncomfortable with the noise and the smell,? said Mcleod Lightbourn.

?I have known Kevin Petty for a long time, we?ve played golf together, but I?m very concerned from a resident?s point of view,? he added.

Mr. Lightbourn, whose great-grandfather had a hand in building the Newstead buildings, said the proposed buildings were too big for the property and he used Waterloo House in Pembroke as an example of what could happen to the shoreline.

?Waterloo is an oasis across the harbour. It?s classic, old Bermuda architecture and then there are all these great big buildings around.

?It?s all just changing very greatly,? he added.