Telecom Bermuda Ltd. have lost their bid to replace their 75-foot-tower on Peak Road, Smith's with one five feet taller.

The Development Applications Board said the work would do untold damage to woodland reserve if plans went ahead to widen the access road.

And the board urged Environment Minister Terry Lister to force the company to replace vegetation which had already been destroyed and to fill in a hole which had been dug.

The Board said it had not been convinced that the new tower was in the national interest.

However the Bermuda Telephone Company had better luck with their bid to install a new cell phone transmitting site in Cahow Way, St. George's.

BTC were given planning permission to put two eight-foot high antennas in the former control tower.

The board also approved plans by the Department of Airport Operations to remove Long Bird Hill, also on Cahow Way.

Director of Airport Operations Lester Nelson said the hill, which stands more than 20 feet high, was an obstacle for planes. But he said no date had been set yet for its removal.