Environmental protection group Save Open Spaces has reacted with concern at news that the Bermuda Housing Corporation is planning to apply for permission to build on land not zoned for development.

SOS chairperson Stuart Smith says that the PLP Government has a “poor” track record when it comes to purchasing land for preservation.

And Shadow Housing Minister Wayne Furbert said that the proposal showed Government did not have a plan for housing and should be looking at building on land already zoned for housing like Morgan's Point.

“If they had purchased a lot of property in the last six or seven years then there may be a chance that we could use some of that property but they haven't increased their land bank. We are appalled they could even contemplate this,” Mr. Smith said.

He called on the Environment Minister to “do the right thing” and refuse to allow any building on BHC's arable land.

BHC has some 22 acres of land which could yield about 440 units of housing. Manager Vance Campbell said this week that the quango was preparing to apply for permission to build on about half the land holdings.

Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent, who has repeatedly said he prefers to build in already developed areas, would have to sign off on the proposals.

A Special Development Order would have to be passed before any building can go ahead.

“The Special Development Orders drops the zoning on property,” said Mr. Smith. “They have been abused before by politicians of both parties. Special Development Orders are only to be used for national emergencies and for the benefit of Bermuda as a whole.”

Asked if the housing crisis qualifies as a national emergency, he said, “possibly”, but added Bermuda had to accept the fact that the Island is already overdeveloped. “We are going to have to change our way of development rather than build on every available piece of land.”

He said SOS advocated city living complexes as a way to provide housing, preserve open spaces and ease the strain on the Island's infrastructure.

“The construction boom is incredible and, trust me, the developers are not doing it for Bermuda, they are doing it for financial gain. Greed is going to be our demise and our grandchildren will think we are either blind or ignorant because we are leaving very little open spaces for future generations.

“The sad part of this whole affair is that our tourism industry is turning more to open spaces and outdoor activities.”

He claimed that Government was losing out on purchasing property because it was reluctant to pay market rates.

“There have been numerous pieces of property that could have been bought but they never stepped up to the wicket. With the price of property, you have no choice but to pay market value and the government doesn't seem to be willing to purchase at market value.”

With land purchases, Government could prevent land from being developed, he added.

Mr. Furbert said Government was moving from one extreme to the other in its efforts to tackle the affordable housing crisis.

“Congestion of houses in Devonshire, displacing people in St. George's by building homes out of the reach of the average Bermudian and now they are trying to get land rezoned that probably should be conserved. So they go from one issue to another,” he said.

“I have continuously outlined and informed the Government of places that they could build that's already zoned for development.

“One such property is Morgan's Point. Until the government comes up with a comprehensive plan, it's going to be a hit and miss.

“They are frustrating themselves and building up hopes for people who need homes but in the end they are letting them down. Government has property that is zoned for housing and that's what they should be looking at first.”

Mr. DeVent reiterated his preference for preserving open spaces and said the Opposition was well aware that Morgan's Point is contaminated.

He added that the BHC “is effectively a separate entity from Government” and has every right to make the application”.

“It's still up to the Planning Department to look at that and do as they see fit,” Mr. DeVent said.

As for the Anchorage Road homes in St. George's, Mr. DeVent said: “Even the residents themselves admitted that they need to be renovated. And unless he (Mr. Furbert) has some magic formula to do a complete renovation while they are living in it, there's no other option (but to move them out).”

And he said a final decision had not been made on whether the residents would be moving back in.

“The Bermuda Housing Corporation was mandated to provide housing to Bermudians and there are at present quite a number of Bermudians who are holding pre-approved mortgages in the $400,000 to $600,000 range, finding it difficult to find a house to purchase within that range. And each time the Opposition chooses to politicise this issue it does nothing to provide roofs for those people who are living in inadequate conditions.”

He added: “I want it to be clearly known - I am in favour of maintaining open spaces as much as possible. But if it comes down to saving open spaces and providing houses for families, what then is SOS suggesting ?”