Former Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent has sprung to the defence of current Minister David Burch after he came under fire for wishing to "short circuit the planning process" for a Southside development.

Mr. DeVent said he believed the use of a Special Development Order was necessary because the planning process had previously been delayed by objectors with "political motives" who wasted both time and money.

Senator Burch said at a public meeting on Wednesday that he anticipated criticism in future because a plan to build 50 homes at Southside would be subject to a Special Development Order in order to accelerate the process.

Although he did not explain how he anticipated the SDO to work, Sen. Burch told the audience: "It is somewhat, I admit, an abuse of the system, but we are in a crisis and the crisis somewhat demands some abuse ? some massaging ? of the process."

He later said that he "fully appreciated" concerns, but added: "In relation to SDOs we are playing the system. We certainly didn't amend the legislation. And the Special Development Order allows for special development.

"Playing the system in relation to Southside circumvents, to a great extent, the eight-month waiting period for planning permission. I make no apologies for that because the same people who criticise us for that are the very same ones criticising us for building no houses."

He added there was nothing about the Southside development that would warrant the Development Applications Board "getting their knickers in a twist".

An SDO was controversially issued by the Environment Ministry recently to build 96 homes at the former Loughlands guest house in Paget. Opponents of the plan said it broke precedent because the order was granted without supporting plans being provided and without public input.

Shadow Housing Minister Senator Kim Swan said of Sen. Burch's stance: "The Housing Minister must not be allowed to trample on the rights of people simply because he and his Government have failed after eight years in power to plan for and build housing for people in need."

However, Mr. DeVent, who lost his post to Sen. Burch in October, 2005, said: "He has my full support."

On the idea of circumnavigating potential objectors, he said: "I agree with him 100 percent on the fact that we need to build houses. I understand the need for opposition but it's important everyone gets on board and supports building houses. I think, when I was Minister, we tried at that time to give people the opportunity to voice their concerns but time was wasted as well as money.

"We as a Government and as a Cabinet attempted to give people the opportunity to go through the process. I think people abused it and some of the abuse was politically motivated. Every project that we started had objections."

He went on to cite developments at Mary Victoria Road ? which was withdrawn by the Bermuda Housing Corporation after fierce local objections ? and Anchorage Road, where long-time residents were forced to move, in particular.

"At the end of the day, we need to build houses. I said it when I was Minister (and) I would repeat the call to put opposition for opposition's sake away and for everyone in this country to get behind the Minister," he added.