The Bermuda Housing Corporation hit back at allegations that it never met with residents of Perimeter Lane over plans to build 32 homes on a two-acre site.

On Saturday reported that residents on Perimeter Lane were angry that they had never been consulted and felt the area wasn?t big enough to house so many units.

Neighbours and tenants of the two BHC homes on the site met on Friday to air their grievances and organise a stop order to ensure that the BHC did not begin construction. During the meeting many of them spoke of their frustration over not being consulted about the plans. Area spokesman John Roach stated during the meeting that the neighbourhood was not opposed to affordable housing being built, but that they wanted the number of units to be reduced.

Yesterday the Department of Communication and Information issued a Press release stating that the BHC met with the current tenants of the two BHC owned houses on the property in January. The BHC also says it met with area residents on March 9.

General manager of the BHC, Vance Campbell, said an architect was present at the March 9 meeting and had visual aides depicting the floor plans. In total ten area residents attended the meeting, including Mr. Roach.

Mr. Campbell said that residents were told, during the meeting, that the BHC was willing to hear their concerns but that the residents were not interested.

?The area residents made it quite clear that they did not wish to speak with representatives of the BHC even though it was a BHC project. They wanted to speak with Minister DeVent,? he said. Housing minister, Ashfield DeVent, did not attend the March meeting because he was at an extended session in the House of Assembly. Mr. Campbell said the BHC takes its responsibility for providing affordable housing seriously and that the corporation moved forward with its plans after the area residents rejected the opportunity to discuss their concerns.

However, he did say that the BHC will ?continue to make itself available to hear the views and concerns of residents the Perimeter Lane area?.

Another meeting is being held this evening and the residents hope that Mr. DeVent will attend.