Bunkered plans for a controversial compost plant could be revived and dumped right in the middle of a new Bermuda golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

US environmentalists saw their ideas for a hi-tech composting operation thrown on the dung heap when talks broke down with the Bermuda Land Development Corporation in March.

New Hampshire-based Bioferm, renamed Bermuda Compost Systems International, still want to build their green processing plant at the old US Naval base at Southside, St. David's.

But their reserve plan is to build on a two-acre site as part of the 250-acre championship golf course planned for Morgan's Point in Southampton -- the former US Naval annex.

BCSI's lawyers, Mello, Hollis, Jones and Martin, are now bidding to reopen talks with the BLDC.

Composting chief T. Christopher Thurlby told The Royal Gazette : "We are always keeping an eye on developments in Bermuda.

"Our process is a natural companion to a group developing a huge track of land, especially in respect of a golf course.

"We develop a product which is ideal for golf course top-dressing, especially when mixed with Bermuda top soil.

"We can also take care of contaminated soil and our requirements are less than two acres.

"We have spoken with the course developers, Renaissance Resorts, and now we're hoping to start talking again with the BLDC, who are in charge of all the baselands.'' Mr. Thurlby, BCSI's chief executive officer, said the plant to create soil out of compost waste would not provide any environmental hazards.

But a wave of public protests forced the initial plans to be scrapped after the firm had won planning permission and Clean Air Act permits to develop on two sites at Southside.

Renaissance are pressing ahead with their plans for the golf course, club house and 200-bed cottage colony at Morgan's Point.

The $250 million project also includes a spa, conference facilities, mixed-use village centre, marina, 318 residential units, housing for elderly people and three park areas.

Morgans Harbour Investment Limited, overseeing the development, originally struggled to secure funding for the massive scheme when backers dropped out.

But chairman Robert Tucker then insisted MHIL would be able to finance the project.

He added: "MHIL now has received an executed letter of commitment with a highly reputable US investment and development company which, after six months of intense research and negotiation, is willing to provide the full equity financing package necessary for the Morgan's Harbour project.'' The Development Applications Board had already endorsed the plan after months of consultation, environmental clean-up studies and more than 25 public meetings.

Demolition work will begin as soon as developers win detailed planning permission for building on the former Naval annex.

Mr. Thurlby added: "We are very interested that all this land has been given back by the US government.

"Maybe Morgan's Point would be the ideal place for our own facility and we could be of great benefit to the golf course.

"All we're hoping for now is to reopen talks with the BLDC.'' BLDC spokesman Don Grearson said: "There is no comment at this time except to confirm that the lawyers are talking.'' ENVIRONMENT ENV