acres of wooded land in Southampton for $750,000 from John W. Swan Ltd.

The Upper House also approved the sale of a 0.26 acre parcel of the land for a freehold cottage property if Government can obtain the minimum market value of $250,000.

Government Senate Leader Gary Pitman said the parcel of land at 30 Lighthouse Hill, near Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, has long been considered a priority purchase for the National Parks system.

John W. Swan Ltd., owned by former Premier Sir John Swan, sought planning permission to develop the property, but was turned down by the Development Applications Board. The company later appealed the decision but it was never heard before the sale of the land to Government was agreed.

Sen. Pitman said the $750,000 price tag is unchanged from 1992, when Government first looked at buying the land.

Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) said the Opposition was in full agreement with the purchase, and said Government should be buying even more open spaces and developing more parkland.

Sen. Walwyn Hughes (Ind) concurred, saying the purchase at Lighthouse Road would be another jewel in the National Park system.