yesterday as an US expert blasted plans for the tower.

The writ, filed in the Supreme Court, names Bermuda Digital Communications and comes some two weeks after BDC took legal action against the hotel for halting tower construction.

But the highly-controversial issue is not expected to reach the courtroom stage.

According to Southampton Princess general manager Norm Mastilir, the two parties have agreed to meet within the next two weeks in an effort to hammer out their problems.

The hotel has taken the action on behalf of their employees who have objected to the erection of a transmission tower by BDC at Faraway Lane in Warwick.

BDC had leased a site at Faraway from the hotel for the erection of the tower to support their cellular phone activity.

Disruption arose when hotel staff, some of whom live just yards away from the site, objected, citing concern over emissions.

Canadian Pacific served notice terminating the lease contract with BDC at the end of April. In a defensive move, BDC filed a writ against the hotel in May.

Last night at the opening of CellularOne's new retail office, on Reid Street, general manger Michael Leverock said he had no knowledge of the writ.

His lawyer, who was also on hand, refused to comment, saying only he would be discussing it with Mr. Leverock at a meeting later in the evening.

Meanwhile, David Carpenter, a university professor brought in by concerned residents, spoke to Health Minister Nelson Bascome and Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb yesterday and was pleased with their knowledge of the problem and with their response to his concerns.

The concerned residents, known as Community Against Radiation Emissions (CARE), are battling the tower.

"I've never seen a cellular antenna that close to a home,'' Dr. Carpenter said. "I'm told there are other sites even closer.'' He added the tower was also very low and said towers at least 300 feet high would reduce the risk to people.

"I don't think it's responsible to place a site that close to a house,'' he said. "There is certainly enough evidence that there is a potential health risk from exposure to this.'' He added that as a professor of public health, his job was to advise governments and others on the health risk of cell phone towers.

And although some studies show there is no risk or negligible risk, others show there is a risk of childhood and adult leukemia and brain tumours, he said.

Dr. Carpenter will speak at a press conference at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute today at 10.30 a.m.

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