GOVERNMENT backbencher and Devonshire North Central MP Glenn Blakeney remained adamant this week that a compromise could still be reached between Prospect residents and embattled Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent.

Mr. Blakeney, who publicly promised his constituents in November 2003 that no additional low-cost housing would be built in Prospect, admitted to having "a change of heart" on the issue.

"I met with the Minister at the time (Terry Lister) and he considered the merit of my argument," he said. "However, I was made aware of the need for increased housing stock throughout the island and had a change of heart."

Mr. Blakeney said he was in constant communication with his constituents and would continue to seek the best way forward.

"There is certainly hope for further consultation and compromise," he said. "However, the matter is still before the DAB (Development Application Board) at this stage."

The pending application, submitted by the Minister in May this year, calls for 20 housing units to be built in the Mary Victoria and Alexandria Roads area.

The submission came barely a year after the Minister withdrew a similar plan for 34 units ? after it sparked a storm of controversy with residents of the area and Opposition MPs.

This decision drew the ire of residents, when it was alleged that Minister DeVent failed to properly consult the residents as pledged in a letter dated April 2005.

"It's slightly unfortunate how the Minister handled it," said Mr. Blakeney, whose constituency covers most of the affected area. "If I was Minister, I would probably have handled it differently.

"But it's easy for me (as a backbencher) to judge.

"Personally, I'd consider 'consultation' as a face-to-face meeting. There was a misconception on the meaning of 'consultation' but the Minister has apologised. Let's move forward."

However, Mr. Blakeney defended the Minister's decision last Friday to effectively discontinue debate in the House of Assembly on the motion after just two speakers had addressed the Prospect housing scheme.

"I think anything used to politicise an issue ? to beat a dead horse ? is counterproductive when we are actually addressing the stakeholders of the issue," he said.

Meanwhile, Shadow Housing Minister Wayne Furbert decried the Minister's actions in Parliament as "totally wrong".

"The Government does not want to hear the truth," he said. "I was prepared to respond after Mr. DeVent ? but he didn't allow other members to speak to the issue. That was wrong.

"We appreciate Mr. DeVent's apology, but now he should withdraw the plans again and reconsider ? but this time actually consult the residents affected."

Mr. Furbert also reiterated the Opposition's offer for Government to use its housing strategy as proposed in the United Bermuda Party's 2003 election platform.

Mr. Blakeney, however, touted Government's housing record and said the problems were not confined to Prospect.

"Because of our size, this will be a constant problem," he said. "Yet, the Government is cognizant of it and working towards solutions. It's a community problem, though, and we will swim or sink together."

Mr. Blakeney also refuted claims from some residents that, with additional housing, Prospect would become a "ghetto" with infrastructure problems increasing in the area.

"These concerns have been addressed ? roads have been paved, lights have been replaced and new guttering is to begin soon," he said.

Housing Minister Asfhield DeVent was not available for comment.