The Corporation of Hamilton has objected to the Bank of Bermuda/HSBC?s plan to build a seven-storey bank on the site of the former Trimingham Brothers on Front Street.

The Corporation joined 22 other objection letters to the Bank?s application for final planning approval to convert numbers 39, 41 and 43 Front Street into a seven-storey mixed use commercial development with a new pedestrian lane and communal space on Reid Street.

?It does not enhance Hamilton?s distinguished character and is unsympathetic to this historic area,? City Engineer David Graham wrote to the Department of Planning on November 9.

?Also the scale, massing and height are not in keeping with other building heights that abut Front Street.

?In addition the Front Street treatment is not sympathetic and complementary to the very special character of Front Street. The Corporation is opposed to any building in excess of six storeys.?

The Corporation also said it was not a mixed use building, as only a very small floor space would be used for retail and the rest was banking.

?Also there is no confirmation that retail activity will take place on the old Smith?s property on the opposite side,? it added.

The pedestrian lane was redundant, it said, as there were no shops along its length to Reid Street and traffic jams would worsen.

Nor did it did not comply with mandatory setbacks, it said.

Chartered architect Ian Gordon said he was not opposed to developing the site, but objected to its scale.

DeForest and Dorothy Trimingham asked Planning to not foist ?this monstrosity? on the people of Bermuda.

?We are ashamed that the Bank/HSBC should be so insensitive to what we used to refer to as the charm of Bermuda,? the Triminghams said.

Claire Fox, of Devonshire said Bermuda?s architecture was unique and part of its heritage and should be protected for future generations.

?I want my children and my grandchildren to be able to see the benefits of Hamilton and not some modern monstrosity,? Ms Fox said.

?We are not New York City, London, Hong Kong or Tokyo.?

Diana Fearis, also of Devonshire, said it was not good for the Island?s dying tourism trade and found all the changes very depressing.

Jolie Brise did not believe the Development Applications Board (DAB) would allow such an ugly building to ruin Front Street and wanted to preserve the charm Bermuda had left.

?Where will the ghost of Ms Dolly Joell live in this upheaval,? Janet Watlington of Pembroke wondered.

And Richard Forbes of Paget suggested the Bank build an arcade of shops and restaurants instead.

The Bermuda National Trust (BNT) did not object to the plan.

Earlier this month the chairman of BNT?s historical building committee, Charles Tatem, said in the Bermuda Sun that no buildings in the City were listed except for the Anglican Cathedral.