Environmental experts are due to start an investigation today to discover whether a controversial development will harm the natural habitat.

Brought in by the Mid-Ocean golf club, the National Trust and Save Open Spaces, Mr. Philip Smith and Mr. Thomas Iliffe will conduct an environmental impact survey on Ship's Hill.

Bermuda Properties Ltd. wants to build homes on the site -- a plan designed to ensure the long-term success of the Castle Harbour Resort and Bermuda's tourist industry.

But the scheme sparked concerns over the effects the building could have on the area's environment such as the flora and fauna and caves under the hill.

Yesterday, Mr. Smith, who has an impressive track record in environmental studies, arrived from England and Mr. Iliffe, an expert on caves, is due to arrive today, from America.

Together they will discuss the issue with local experts and explore the Ship's Hill area, including going into the caves.

The aim is to assess whether the buildings will damage the local environment -- for humans as well as plant and animal life. It is expected they will release some of their findings on Monday.

"I have been briefed on the situation and I have enough background knowledge to start detailed discussions and site visits,'' said Mr. Smith.

"I have come here with an open mind and will assimilate view points from all sides,'' he added.

SOS is due to meet with BPL general manager, Mr. Peter Parker, today to lay out the ground rules for the site visit -- where they are allowed to go on the property and the fact that they will be accompanied by BPL's own experts.

SOS chairman Mr. Ian MacDonald-Smith said BPL was insisting the cost of its experts -- about $2,000 -- be paid by the group.

"We do not have the funds and we need to find the funds from somewhere,'' said Mr. MacDonald-Smith, who appealed to the public to help.

Last night Mr. Parker said his company was in the middle of its own $70,000 environmental study adding that he expected both sides to come up with the same results.

He said he wanted the company's own experts to be with the SOS party "in case their study contradicts ours so we are in a position to know what they did and where''.

"In my view there are two ways to hurt the caves -- structurally or through dumping material in them. We have given an undertaking that we will do neither of these,'' added Mr. Parker.