multi-million-dollar development scheme.

Planners at the Bermuda Land Development Company yesterday launched an ambitious 30-year project to move Bermuda's seaport from the capital to St David's.

As part of the plan, the container docks would move to Southside, creating hundreds of jobs and opening up a much bigger port area for shipping.

And the BLDC, which lays plans for Bermuda's old military bases, also wants to redevelop 54 old quarters of American navy officers to rent out as three-bedroom houses.

Rents of between $1,750 and $2,300 a month would raise cash to fund other parts of the project, including a major road realignment programme, a computer technology park and a plaza development.

The regenerated area -- the former US Naval Air Station -- would also include walking, jogging and bicycle trails and open public space in the area above Annie's Bay and Ruth's Bay.

The pioneering project was unveiled at yesterday's meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Front Street.

BLDC chief executive officer Carl Musson outlined the plans and then told The Royal Gazette the scheme would provide Bermudians with "a range of opportunities''.

And he announced the BLDC was also in preliminary negotiations with developers to build Bermuda's first eco-tourism resort on the 17-acre site of the old Canadian base at Daniel's Head, Sandys Parish.

Maho Bay Ltd., based in the US Virgin Islands, want to build a marine-based reef-diving resort with wooded parkland areas.

UK-based developers Renaissance Resorts Ltd. are also proposing a 200-room cottage colony and 400-berth marina at Morgan's Point -- the former US Naval Annex in Southampton.

That scheme would also include an 18-hole championship golf course designed by golf great Jack Nicklaus.

Mr. Musson told the Gazette: "The eco-tourism plan is at a very early stage and negotiations have only just begun.

"The cottage colony plans are at a more advanced stage but we do not have precise details yet.'' He said the BLDC would now begin a round of public meetings all over the Island to gauge reaction to the Southside plans.

He added: "This is a market driven plan and we have to make money in order to be able to fulfil our development plans.

"For instance, we are looking at investing $60,000 in each of the housing units but the rents will provide us with much-needed revenue.

"We do need planning permission and the next step is to begin lobbying Government.'' But BLDC planners are hoping for little opposition from the House of Assembly as Government is the owner of the BLDC.

BLDC spokesman Don Grearson added: "We do need planning permission and that is why we will be lobbying Government and trying to persuade the people of Bermuda about our ideas.

"But we cannot give a final figure on the costs of this project except that it will run into millions of dollars.'' He added: "We are talking to the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St. George's and they are both willing to explore the possibilities of moving the container docks.'' Part of the Southside plan involves preserving a Green Belt around Texas Road and developing parks and trails along Kindley Field Road.

Planners will also begin negotiating with investors to develop a St. David's "Village Centre'' with a plaza development similar in size to the Rural Hill Plaza.

Then the old Navy quarters will be redesigned and "Bermudianised'' with new roofing, shutters and landscaping to match Building Code standards.

Some of the new homes will be rented out to elderly people.

MILITARY MIL SHIPPING SHI HOUSING HSG