criticism of development at Dockyard from a Government committee.

The Historic Buildings Advisory Committee has called for a development freeze at Dockyard, complaining of the lack of an over-all plan and describing some of Wedco's work to date as "pale Walt Disney style imitation''.

The committee, chaired by Mr. Andrew Trimingham, has asked the Development Applications Board to approve no further work at Dockyard without "a thorough re-evaluation of Wedco's over-all plans'', and "a set of architectural principles'' that would govern the work.

Mr. J. Christopher (Kit) Astwood, who was chairman of Wedco from 1985 to 1993 when the Clocktower building was developed for commercial use, said the advisory committee's comments were "absolutely untrue''.

"The whole project is totally planned,'' and Wedco went to "great pains'' to assure the architectural integrity of Dockyard, he said.

He noted that the Bermuda National Trust gave Wedco an award for the Clocktower development for sensitive redevelopment of a historic building.

"What on earth Mr. Trimingham is talking about, I just don't know,'' Mr.

Astwood said.

"Bermudians generally applaud the redevelopment and enjoy it,'' Mr. Astwood said. "It's a nice calm place to go with children -- it's essentially what Bermuda needs.

"Bermuda has spoken,'' Mr. Astwood said. "The National Trust has spoken.

That can't be taken away.'' Mr. Astwood turned over the Wedco reigns to Mr. Scott Hunter in 1993. He said Wedco general manager Mr. George Smith and his staff were doing "a first-class job''.

Dockyard, which attracted nearly 312,000 visitors last year, was Bermuda's most popular attraction, a Department of Tourism poll showed.

But the committee said Wedco was trying to save money by not using the same stone and other construction elements as the original Dockyard.

"Wedco has achieved little better, and sometimes worse, than a pale Walt Disney style imitation of the noble example they have sought to follow,'' the committee said.

"Flat, insubstantial imitation prevails in some cases, pathetic, fairy tale crenelations obtrude in others.''