The National Trust is appealing to all MPs to kick out a plan which supports development of one of Bermuda's most important areas of forest.

The Trust sent out a three-page letter to every Member of Parliament protesting the decision of the Objections Tribunal into the Bermuda Plan 1992.

Signed by the Trust's environmental committee chairman, Mr. Tim Marshall, it states: "We urge you not to vote in favour of the Tribunal's report or any proposed legislation which would have the effect of adopting their report without first ensuring the preservation of this landmark.

"What we are asking you today is to preserve Catchment Hill for all generations.'' The letter was obtained by The Royal Gazette from a source in the House of Assembly yesterday.

The Trust claims development of the land is to encourage "the rest of the world to buy a piece of Bermuda''.

In the tribunal's 337-page report, released last week, it agreed to allow development of Catchment Hill, in Hamilton Parish.

Catchment Hill is a heavily-wooded, 38-acre parcel of land overlooking the Mid Ocean Club Golf Course.

The area had been zoned as mainly woodland by the Planning Department, but landowners Bermuda Properties complained because it wanted permission to develop. The National Trust and the Mid Ocean Club asked for the land to remain undeveloped.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr. Jack Lightbourn, agreed more development should be allowed on Catchment Hill.

Bermuda Properties is planning to build high quality condominiums on the land, extending the limits of Tucker's Town.

The Objections Tribunal report could be discussed and approved in the House of Assembly tomorrow.

In the letter, Mr. Marshall tells MPs: "Catchment Hill is one of the last tracts of undeveloped land left in Bermuda. This land has for years significantly contributed to the preservation of the rural character of Bermuda and its loss would have a devastating impact on Bermuda's image.

"This loss cannot be condoned particularly where there is no factual justification that Bermuda's present or future housing needs require a sacrifice of what is primarily undeveloped land.'' He stresses the land is owned by a company controlled by foreign interests whose main objective is to make money through the development and piecemeal sale of the property.

"The money generated from the development will go offshore. the luxury homes will inevitably be sold to non-Bermudians,'' the letter says. "In short, there is no need for this housing. The company will create artificial need by inviting the rest of the world to buy a piece of Bermuda.

"We are too small to give Bermuda away. We are too small to sacrifice open space in order to satisfy the wants and desires of rich non-Bermudians.'' Mr. Marshall goes on to discuss how the land was compulsorily purchased from black Bermudians for the tourism industry.

He says: "Bermudians have a long memory. The people of Bermuda are watching these deliberations. The sons, daughters and grandchildren of those who were dispossessed of their lands are watching and hoping that Parliament, with one voice, will have the courage to say no to the proposed residential zoning.

"Catchment Hill is one of the most prominent parcels of land in Bermuda. From every vantage point, you can see uninterrupted forest, a glimpse of the old catchment; a catchment which respects the natural contours of the land.

"At night you see a magnificent blanket of darkness, undisturbed by lights and human activity.

"We have all seen that satellite photograph of Bermuda. It's a hard picture to look at. From Sandys to St. George's white roofs have engulfed the land.''