Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson and a backbench MP are involved in a planning controversy over a South Shore home being built for Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown.

Mr. Hodgson stepped in after planning officials ordered that work stop on the Smith's site after they discovered the contractor, Arthur Pitcher MP, had deviated from the original plans.

And it has become clear that the issue is the latest in a line of changes and problems with the building, that, it is understood, is completely different from the original plans.

The Environment Minister issued instructions that construction could carry on at the AP Owen Road site -- despite planning officers insisting all work cease whilst the alterations were resolved satisfactorily.

Yesterday, acting planning director Rudolph Hollis reiterated the position, saying, as far as he was concerned work should have been halted on the site until the matter was sorted out.

He said he was aware that work had carried on regardless after a letter had been sent to Mr. Pitcher, telling him to have the work approved "before any further work proceeds''.

Mr. Hollis said: "The stop order hasn't been lifted by the Department of Planning.

"At the present time we have an official stop order which was placed on there.'' And he said other issues relating to the site had also been brought to his attention. Planners were only prepared to lift the prohibition when they were happy with the revised drawings submitted by the architects.

"We wouldn't normally (issue a stop order) if it was work of minor nature. In this case, because of a number of outstanding issues, we felt it appropriate to have it stopped.

"We will assess the revisions, whether or not the architects' submissions are sufficient to satisfy our concerns. If we are satisfied changes have taken place that do not require approval, it won't go before the Development Application Board, if they do, they will go before next available board meeting.'' Planners were concerned that pre-fabricated walls were being erected when traditional Bermuda building methods had only been approved. Yesterday, work continued on the site with Mr. Pitcher present.

Planning officials also discovered that the original permission for alterations and additions to an existing building was contravened when the building was demolished earlier in the year.

In addition, a basement and double garage are being built outside of official plans.

And three neighbours have objected to work, including the proximity of a garage and a sea wall.

The owner of a right-of-way which leads to the sea has written to Mr. Hodgson complaining after construction workers encroached on his land and built within setback limits -- after he refused to sign an agreement for them to do so.

He was also upset after a tree was taken down and steps to the sea ruined. Mr.

Brown has since offered to put right the damaged steps.

Last night Dr. Brown refused to comment on the specific issues with the property, but said: "I know that I am trying to increase the value of the property in the area and I am looking forward to doing that.'' Hodgson claims no stop order, just advisory notice He referred all further questions to architects, The Studio. A spokesman for The Studio declined to comment on the situation.

Mr. Hodgson said there was no stop order on the site, just a field advisory notice. He added that there was no legal requirement for work to stop on the site.

A copy of the notice obtained by the Royal Gazette stated that Mr. Pitcher was "required to submit revised drawings showing detail connections and specifications stamped by a local registered engineer and have them approved before any further work proceeds''.

But during an earlier conversation yesterday he admitted lifting a stop order, saying that he was familiar with the building methods being used.

He said that officers should not allow their ignorance of the situation to hinder work.

"I want to make sure during my tenure the planning department is user friendly. They are not creating problems for people, not picking on high profile people because people want to avoid publicity.'' Later, Mr. Hodgson said he obtained information about the problem last Thursday. He said he advised the officers to get the situation regularised, to make sure appropriate applications had been made. He added that he said "whatever instructions needed to be given to carry on work''. "My instructions were to get the thing sorted out,'' he said.

"What I wanted to happen was that corrections be made to the drawings. I expected for somebody in this department to call the architects, to get the documents straight or it would be issued with a stop notice.'' Mr. Hodgson said he knew nothing about the other issues relating to the site.

Mr. Pitcher did not return calls made to his home by The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Meanwhile, it is understood that work on two houses in Somerset using a similar pre-fabricated construction method has also ceased pending investigations.

Photos by Arthur Bean House in crisis? : The house being built for Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown which is at the centre of a planning controversy.

Digging a hole? : Contractor and St. George's South MP Arthur Pitcher operates a Bobcat digger at the site of a house being built for Transport Minister Dr.

Ewart Brown.