Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons yesterday joined architects in attacking hard-hitting statements by a visiting historian on British Empire architecture.

Mr. Simons called Dr. Robert Grant Irving's views on development in Bermuda "extravagant and over-simplified''.

Government had saved nearly half the Island from development, he claimed. It had appointed a committee to identify and list buildings of historical and architectural importance.

There had always been provisions in the Planning Act for size and architectural designs to be "compatible with the Bermuda image''.

"You don't see any aluminium roofs in Bermuda,'' he said.

And his Ministry had published a comprehensive Bermuda Landscape Guide. Dr.

Irving said this week he was "astounded'' Government had done "so little'' to protect Bermuda's architectural heritage.

Destruction of Bermuda's built and natural environment had reached "a crisis stage'', he claimed.

And he accused local architects of showing a lack of regard for traditional architecture, designing some of the "worst examples of contemporary architecture'', with Hamilton in danger of looking like "every other over-built city in the world''.

But Mr. Simons said Dr. Irving had "ignored'' Government's track record on conservation of the environment and open space.

"To suggest that Government has not done anything is not entirely correct,'' he said. "Could we do more? Yes. But we have to strike a balance between community good and individual rights. It's very difficult to legislate taste.'' Mr. Simons said the Bermuda Development Plans had been "progressively more restrictive''.

And the 1992 Plan sought to protect some 40 percent of the Island as open space through restrictive zonings.

A 750-acre National Parks System had been created with the purchase of $20 million worth of open space.

The 1992 Plan also designated the town of St. George's, Dockyard and other historic sites as Historic Protection Areas.

And it empowered the Development Applications Board to refer applications to the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee for advice and comments.

The Historic Buildings Advisory Committee had covered five parishes so far, he said, and would soon be submitting its recommendations to him.

Dr. Irving, who was raised in Canada, is on an extended research visit to the Island.

The Hon. Gerald Simons.