St. George's mayor Henry Hayward has voiced concern that Government has still not appointed a planning officer for the World Heritage site - some five months after the post was advertised.

And he said he was frustrated that he had been unable to get answers as to why there has been a delay in making the appointment.

But assistant director of planning Peter Adwick - whom Mr. Hayward said had been contacted about the hold-up - claims he has not been asked about the delay.

Government agreed last year to fund the position of a heritage officer who would have overall responsibility for the United Nations World Heritage site.

The reason for the appointment was that the World Heritage site, which includes surrounding fortifications, is larger than the area covered by the St. George's's Preservation Authority, which was established in the 1950's.

The new officer, who would have planning expertise, was seen as vital in taking the management of the site forward in the future.

Mr. Hayward told The Royal Gazette: "It concerns me to the point that this was the direction we were going and now we're five or six months down the road and there's no progress and I've not been advised as Mayor as to what the position is."

on Wednesday Mr. Adwick said: "The appointment is in the process of being made and it's going through the works. It's just a normal process of appointment in government and I don't know that there's been any additional delay."

When asked when the position will be filled, he said: "I don't know at the moment."

Mr. Hayward said St. George's's town manager Lance Furbert has been in contact with Mr. Adwick about the hold-up and had not heard anything for about three months. But Mr. Adwick said he had heard from neither man about the position.

Mr. Hayward said the failure so far to appoint a world heritage officer would not jeopardise the Old Town's position as a World Heritage site.

The World Heritage Committee - consisting of the St. George's's Foundation, the Corporation of St. George's, the St. George's's Preservation Authority, the National Trust, and the Parks Department - was still overseeing the management of the site.