A green plan to stop the expansion of the National Equestrian Centre is to be presented to a Government Minister today.

Officials from the Parks Commission have drawn up a concept proposal to protect the Vesey Street site as parkland.

The design, backed by environmentalists, would create a huge recreational park in Devonshire similar to Blue Hole or Hog Bay.

Youth and Sports Minister Tim Smith, who has responsibility for the parks, will be handed the alternative proposal later today.

The Development Applications Board is already reviewing a plan to expand the centre after Environment Minister Irving Pearman lifted the area's Woodland Reserve protected status.

He sparked controversy by allowing the Special Development Order to go ahead last October.

But Director of Parks Bill Cook said last night: "The Parks Commission asked myself, a park planner and David Wingate -- the President of the Bermuda Audubon Society -- to come up with an alternative plan for Vesey Street.

"That's exactly what we have done. Our proposal would turn the site into a large recreational park and we will be finishing our recommendation tomorrow.

"Then we will hand it straight to our Minister, Tim Smith. We are just finalising the drawings and then I believe the dossier will be handed to the planning department.

"We believe we have come up with something which will please the environmentalists.

"That is what our mandate was and now it's planning's call. We're saying that this is what we can do to develop the area in a better way for all, including paths and trails and all the features of a park.'' Mr. Pearman said he was no longer involved in which proposal was accepted.

He said: "Having issued the development order, I handed the matter over to the Development Applications Board.'' "It would not be proper for me to comment on the merits or demerits of the alternative proposal except to say that it will be considered by the board.

"I have had to step back from all of this.'' But a spokeswoman for the Bermuda Audubon Society said: "The Parks Commission had planned on enlarging the existing park for a long, long time and now they have come forward with a very cohesive plan.

"It will be a wonderful arrangement if it materialises and it could well be a nice solution to the problem.'' The Society joined with the Bermuda National Trust and Save Open Spaces to object to the development proposal.

Now the Society has organised a field trip at Vesey Street at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 15.

The National Trust is even considering re-routing its Palm Sunday Walk the following week to include the National Equestrian Centre.

Planning officials have already met representatives of the Audubon Society, National Trust and SOS to explain reasons for the Special Development Order.

ENVIRONMENT ENV PLANNING PLN