demolishing one of the Island's oldest hotels.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson last week granted a special development order for the Elbow Beach Golf Club to proceed with plans to redevelop the Belmont Hotel in Warwick.

Last week Elbow Beach general manager William Shoaf told The Royal Gazette it would be more than a month before final closure.

"We still have a couple more approvals to get before we can close a deal and move ahead,'' he said.

"There are still two issues that we have to get clarification on, but in general this was a very big step and we are pleased about that,'' he added.

It is understood the Ministerial Special Development Order was necessary because parts of the site are zoned woodland reserve.

Mr. Shoaf said lawyers were looking into regulatory issues surrounding the development.

And representatives had already met some nearby homeowners who raised concerned about "errant'' golf balls from the golf course, Mr. Shoaf said.

The proposal calls for the demolition of 130,000 square feet of existing floor space and 16 ancillary buildings on the Belmont property.

They will be replaced with 50 two- and three-storey villas, and a four-storey golf house with professional golf shop, restaurant and 12 guest rooms.

Footpaths, parking, improvements to the Harbour and Middle Road junctions, outdoor living spaces and a new swimming pool are also included.

According to Planning documents, the resort is geared toward the "affluent, long-stay visitor, the family vacation department, and multiple couples travelling to spas and/or golf destinations''.

The units will be individually sold as part of a condominium association managed and marketed by Elbow Beach.

The Belmont Hotel closed its doors for the last time last November.