accused of bias in controversial planning appeal cases.

Environment Minister Irving Pearman yesterday announced that an overseas consultant would be brought in as a go-between between the Planning Director and the Environment Minister.

Controversial appeals will now be sent to a public inquiry handled by the consultant, who will probably come from the UK.

And the expert, given the title of planning inspector, will also consider written appeals and make recommendations to the Minister.

Mr. Pearman announced an overhaul of the entire planning appeals procedure during a House of Assembly Budget debate.

He has been widely criticised for allowing a proposal to develop the National Equestrian Centre at Vesey Street, which is zoned woodland.

But he told the House yesterday: "The Minister will still retain the right of decision on appeals.

"We think this is more open and more democratic and affords the system the credit it deserves rather than the criticism it attracts.

"Ministers can only act, in law, on the appeals that come before them. Now we're putting in place a different system and there's going to be a buffer between the Planning Director and the Minister, with a consultant to deal with these issues.

"They will even go into public inquiries so that the sort of concerns we have seen in the past do not reappear.'' Shadow Environment Minister Leon (Jimmy) Williams said there had been several incidents of ministers abusing their powers to make decisions on planning appeals.

He said: "There have been so many examples of this, that have taken place with ministerial powers. We must guard ourselves against this kind of abuse and so far the department has had no power over the Minister.

"He has the final say and let no-one believe that it's not the Minister in charge.'' Mr. Pearman released a statement saying the new inspector would visit Bermuda four times a year in two-week stints.

He added: "I must stress that the minister will continue to render the final decision on all appeals.'' He said the position was advertised in January and there had already been an "encouraging response'' from the UK Inspectorate of the Department of the Environment.

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