Developers planning to turn the ex-Southampton Naval Annex into a booming tourist report won a compliment -- from a rival.

BEAM president Alan Burland on Friday described the $250 million scheme as an "impressive, comprehensive development''.

However, he detected a key difference between the Renaissance Resorts International Ltd plan and BEAM's.

"The Renaissance development seems to have a residential, real estate focus -- almost in the Florida-style.

"I think we had a very significant golf focus in our plans because golf tourism is potentially a huge tourism market, but it needs to be the right product.'' Mr. Burland, who runs BCM McAlpine, was speaking after briefly viewing a public exhibition of Renaissance's plans at Hamilton's City Hall.

It was his first comment on the scheme since it was announced British-based Renaissance had beaten BEAM in the fight to develop the site, known as Morgan's Point.

"I will need to look at it more carefully before commenting much more.

Perhaps, I will do so on Saturday when it's quieter.'' Last week it emerged golfing legend Jack Nicklaus was designing an 18-hole PGA championship golf course for the Renaissance plan.

The plan also included 300 homes -- ranging in price from $300,000 to $2 million-plus -- a 400-berth marina, 200-bedroom spa and conference cottage colony hotel and a village, including a church, town hall, chandlery, some 15 shops, three restaurants and a cafe.

The project, expected to get underway in October, would create 360 permanent jobs. The first phase should be complete by May 1999.

The public exhibition of the plans will move from Hamilton to St. George's and Dockyard.

Renaissance, which trades locally as Morgan's Harbour Investment Ltd, hopes to present an in-principle planning application to the Development Applications Board in the next few weeks.

BEAM's proposal included a course drawn up by world-renowned designer Tom Fazio and a commitment from three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo as touring pro.

Yesterday Mr. Burland said BEAM directors would be meeting next week to decide the company's next move.

"We were very proud of what we produced, believing it would have produced long-term benefits for Bermuda.

"Golf tourism is potentially a huge market but needs the right product, such as a world showpiece golf course to generate that interest. Fazio was attracted to our project because of the potential.'' The Royal Gazette understands there have been rumblings of discontent over Renaissance's triumph among developers, with questions being raised about the tendering process.

It is understood Nicklaus' involvement in the Renaissance proposal came after companies submitted final proposals.

Alan Burland