controversial plans to build tourist units at Christian Bay in Southampton.

Developer Conrad Engelhardt plans to develop the empty plot of land directly west of the Reefs Beach Club on South Shore, Southampton, into six luxury housekeeping tourist units.

The units, part of a three-storey building, will each have three bedrooms, a den, and three washrooms.

Mr. Engelhardt made the revised application to the Planning Department as Christian Bay Beach Club on May 30.

A previous application by Mr. Engelhardt to build six condominiums at the site was turned down by the DAB in February.

The DAB rejected the application on the grounds that the site was of "such importance to the future requirements of the tourism industry that no development other than tourist accommodations should be permitted on the site''.

But the revised application stressed the necessity of developing the site.

"As a high site next to expensive residences and other tourist accommodations the development of the site is long overdue,'' it stated.

And it was noted that only the top storey of the building will be visible from the road. It will also have an underground parking garage.

The Board, while approving the revised application as received on May 30, set out several conditions, including banning swimming pool or new access stairway to the beach.

The plans had been opposed by the Bermuda National Trust and Bermuda Caribbean Engineering Consultants Ltd.

Trust director Amanda Outerbridge yesterday said the organisation was concerned that "the scale and density of the development was not sensitive to the physical characteristic of the site as laid out''.

"I look forward to seeing the Planning Department's comments on why they approved it,'' she added.

Bermuda Caribbean consultant David Somers said he could not comment until he had been formally notified and had had time to discuss an appeal with his clients.

Mr. Engelhardt refused to comment.